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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. Mary Ann tells the co-op board that their son will be attending which school?

2. Whose private life and business associations are exposed in DIRT?

3. How old is the man known as Power?

4. What is the man's first name?

5. Who inquires about the presence of Tommy Bruce?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information does Allan Peebles share with Amanda?

2. What is the next step for the Bruce brothers? What incident makes it obvious that someone is closing in on them?

3. What is the purpose of Stone's visit to Samuel Bernard? Who is Bernard? What information does Bernard supply to Stone?

4. Discuss the scene at Amanda's country house. Why is Stone present? What is Stone's advice? What does Arrington say about the case?

5. Why do Amanda and Hickcock want Stone to stop investigating DIRT?

6. What are Hickcock's instructions? What is the next step for Hickcock?

7. What news does Arrington deliver on the way home from the hospital? What is Stone's reaction?

8. What has been decided about the leak in Amanda's office? Who is clean? Who is the probable leak?

9. What is the next and last issue of DIRT? Who will receive it? What is different about this issue?

10. Discuss Amanda's failed attempts at firing Stone. Why does Stone refuse to give up with or without Amanda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Reputation is a touchy subject in places like New York and Los Angeles, particularly when dissected by someone like Amanda Dart or Allan Peebles. Examine Amanda's reputation and its importance. Why is Amanda's reputation important in New York? Also examine Allan Peebles' role. Why is Peebles' reputation important in Los Angeles? Are the two friends, enemies, colleagues or strangers? Are they competitors? Explain. How could their jobs backfire on them if others gathered inside information on their personal lives? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Stone Barrington is a no nonsense cop turned attorney in Manhattan. Examine Barrington's career. Why do you think Woodman and Weld hires Barrington on the side? Does Barrington have any knowledge of criminal law? How do Bill Eggers and Stone Barrington know each other? Write a complete character description of Stone Barrington. Include physical descriptions and other information gleaned from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Write a short story that takes place six, twelve, or eighteen months after the end of the book. What might happen to Hickcock, Tiff, Stone, Arrington, and Dino? Would any of the relationships change? Would the guys still meet at Elaine's? Will Arrington and Stone still be together? Will Dino be investigated for his ties to the Bianchis? Use your imagination and remember to put in a plausible new murder plot.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,144 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample