The Big Sleep | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

1. Describe the Sternwood house

2. Describe the two Sternwood girls.

Short Essay Question - Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

3. Describe Vivian Regan.

4. Why does Marlowe think he has been given a lawyer's job?

Short Essay Question - Chapter 5

5. How does Marlowe find out what he wants to know at the bookstore?

6. What suggestion are there that Geiger's store maybe a smut shop?

Short Essay Question - Chapter 6

7. What happens at 7:20?