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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. When Kinsey returns to Santa Teresa from Los Angeles, who has left her three messages?

2. What does Kinsey tell Mrs. Glass after finding the letter to Libby from Laurence?

3. How does Kinsey feel about Charlie's staying the night at her place?

4. In Chapter 26, Kinsey speaks to Nikki again about an old scandal involving Laurence. What was the scandal?

5. Where does Kinsey find a letter addressed to "Darling Elizabeth"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Kinsey phones Charlotte Mercer after discussing the "Darling Elizabeth" letter with Con Dolan. What does Charlotte tell her? Who can Kinsey now eliminate as suspects? Who can't she eliminate, causing her uneasiness?

2. After her fight with Charlie, what does Kinsey do? What does this make her realize? What happens when he comes over later to apologize?

3. After confronting Lyle in L.A., Kinsey goes to the accounting firm where Libby used to work. What does she tell Garry Steinberg that she suspects about Charlie?

4. On the Monday after her meal with Charlie, Kinsey meets with Con Dolan at homicide. What is the outcome of her meeting with Con?

5. Kinsey now knows that Gwen killed Laurence but is still puzzled about the deaths of Libby and Sharon. She realizes there must be another murderer. Where does she go, and what does she plan to do?

6. What does Greg Fife tell Kinsey about his father's allergy that might have some bearing on the case?

7. The morning after Sharon Napier's death, Kinsey heads to Salton Sea. Who does she meet there, and what does she learn?

8. Kinsey decides she has to return to Nikki's beach house to follow up on something. What is it, and what is the result of the follow up?

9. What details does Kinsey have to take care of when she returns to her motel in Los Angeles, after concluding her meetings with Greg and Diane Fife?

10. While driving back to Santa Teresa after visiting Garry Steinberg, what does Kinsey realize about her relationship with Charlie? How do Sharon's phone bills help her verify this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Humor is an element of fiction often employed by authors. Why is it used? How can it enhance a novel? Give four examples of Sue Grafton's use of humor where you feel the pace and the theme of "'A' Is for Alibi" have been enhanced by its use.

Essay Topic 2

Define climax as part of the plot structure in literature. Where does the climax occur in "'A' Is for Alibi"? What is the result of the events of the climax? What does it reveal about the purpose of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Conflict is a common element of writing in both fiction and nonfiction. Why is conflict so often used in narratives? How can it help move a story along? Give four examples where conflict in "'A' Is for Alibi" occurs and how it helps explain the relationship between Kinsey and other characters.

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