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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. Whom does Carriscant think about when he returns home?

2. Where was Carriscant born?

3. What does Carriscant say his father did for a living?

4. What does Carriscant agree to do?

5. Why is the location of Ward's body questioned?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kay learn about the buyer of her home?

2. What is Pantaleon building inside his barn?

3. What documentation is left of Kay's biological father?

4. How are Kay and Carriscant to travel and what is her stipulation for taking the trip?

5. Who is Kay Fischer?

6. What do Kay and Philip think about the other one?

7. What does Kay discover when she goes to her house just after selling it?

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

9. What does Carriscant write to say to Kay and what does she decide to do?

10. Who is Pantaleon Quiroga?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Blue Afternoon, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Blue Afternoon. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Blue Afternoon is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Pantaleon's obsession with his aircraft mirrors Carriscant's developing obsession with Delphine; both men become entirely irrational in their pursuits. Pantaleon seems to desire external validation by winning an award. Carriscant becomes caught up inadvertently in Pantaleon's obsession as the narrative develops.

1. Explain what is meant by the first sentence above and why or why not you agree with it. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss the dichotomy of an apparently intelligent physician being unable to overcome his obsession with a married woman even to the point of an affair and making her pregnant. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Discuss the relationship between the strict social classes in the Philippines and Pantaleon's desire for external validation. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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