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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened to Kay about the same time that Philip begins his drinking habit?

2. What does Carriscant realize when he visits Pantaleon?

3. Where does Carriscant go after he runs a few errands?

4. Who was the actual buyer of Kay's house?

5. What is apparent when Carriscant visits Pantaleon's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carriscant learn about the photograph of the woman and what does he want to do?

2. What does Meyersen say about Kay's home and career and how does it affect Kay?

3. Describe the feud between Carriscant and Isidro Cruz.

4. Why does Kay go to visit her mother in Chapter Four?

5. Why does Kay take her mother to an out-of-the-way restaurant?

6. What is the impact of Coleman's death on Kay and Philip?

7. Why does Kay's lawyer call her and why is his news in a way depressing for Kay?

8. Who is Coleman Brockway and how did he die?

9. What does Salvador Carriscant say about his return to Manila in 1897?

10. How does Carriscant feel about his marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Carriscant and Cruz. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Kay and Annaliese. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Blue Afternoon help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in The Blue Afternoon? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in The Blue Afternoon including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from The Blue Afternoon and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

There are many questions left with no definite answers in The Blue Afternoon. Discuss the following:

1. What are two questions left with no answers that you would have liked to know? Why? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss, in depths, why you think Boyd left so many questions. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Do you think a novel should tie up all loose ends and answer all questions? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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