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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. Why does Carriscant visit his wife's uncle?

2. What do Carriscant and Delphine do in his office?

3. What does Pantaleon decide upon to push the aircraft?

4. Why do Kay and Carriscant go around to sweet shops?

5. What does Annaliese say she wants?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Carriscant fight Wieland?

2. What does Annaliese say about Delphine after Annaliese meets her at the Governor's social?

3. Describe Delphine's surgery.

4. Where is Seiverance going and what does he do in preparation?

5. Whom does Carriscant contact about a black market engine and why does Panteleon want an engine on the black market?

6. What does Carriscant say about possible motives for the death of the soldiers?

7. What is the outcome of Carriscant's trial?

8. What do Bobby and Carriscant discuss about the recent murder?

9. What details about her life does Delphine tell Carriscant?

10. What does Carriscant say Delphine admits and what is Kay's reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Blue Afternoon. The questions are ones that Boyd most likely wants readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Boyd' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Boyd' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Boyd and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

The Blue Afternoon belongs to the novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a novel and a history book?

(see the answer keys)

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