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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 Siverance summon Carriscant?

2. What is Carriscant's request to Annaliese's request?

3. What does Seiverance announce?

4. What does Carriscant do when he encounters Delphine at the social function?

5. What does Carriscant tell Sieverance?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Cruz enraged and Carriscant embarrassed?

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

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

4. Why does Carriscant start a fire in Sieverance's shed?

5. What happens to Carriscant's Chinese patient, and what does this set Carriscant to thinking?

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

7. Describe Delphine's surgery.

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

9. How does Annaliese become pregnant with Kay?

10. What does Cruz show Carriscant in Cruz's operating room and what does Carriscant think of what he is seeing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Blue Afternoon based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Blue Afternoon is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Blue Afternoon a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Blue Afternoon. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Boyd chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Boyd chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Boyd's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Boyd use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes The Blue Afternoon interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Kay. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Carriscant. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Paton Bobby. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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