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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 does Philip say he has done?

2. About what does Carriscant not seem surprised?

3. What does Carriscant agree to do?

4. What happens when Kay visits Philip?

5. What does Kay do to gauge her mother's response?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carriscant say about his parentage?

2. Who is Kay Fischer?

3. What does Kay decide about Carriscant and what does she do after deciding this?

4. Who is Pantaleon Quiroga?

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

6. What is the setting for the chapter titled "Tongue"?

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

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

9. What do Quiroga and Carriscant do for a Chinese boy?

10. Why does Kay visit Philip and what happens and what does she think about her and Philip?

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

Discuss the following:

1. Do you think there was enough hard evidence to convict Carriscant of the crimes for which he went to prison? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. What mistakes do you think, in detail, Carriscant made which left him open to being charged with crimes he claims he did not commit? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Compare Carriscant's situation, going to prison for crimes he says he did not commit, versus Kay's partner, Meyersen, who seems to have committed several crimes against Kay yet not only did not go to prison but seems to have thrived from his nefarious behavior. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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