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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. Who calls during a meeting Alex attends with the directors of the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security?

2. What is Gitmo?

3. What vehicle is found by the FBI that is important to the case?

4. Who does Alex find at home with Nana Mama when he goes home the night covered in chapters 33-39?

5. Who lives in Salvador, Brazil?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the men who caused a disruption in the inner courtyard of the Hoover Building, allowing for the assassination attempt undertaken by Nikki Williams?

2. What does Alex dislike about the prescribed protocol to deal with the Wolf and the aftermath of any bombing?

3. Why does Alex Cross blame the Weasel for the custody fight he is now involved in with Christine Johnson over his son, Alex Jr.?

4. What motive does the owner of the bomb launched against Sunrise Valley suggest he has for such an action?

5. Who is the Weasel?

6. What happens to Nikki as she finishes her job and goes to leave the helicopter?

7. What reason does the Wolf give for blowing up the bridge?

8. From where was the Wolf's latest call made?

9. Who tortures the Weasel? For what purpose?

10. Who does Alex Cross go to investigate at Gitmo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss structure. The novel is divided into more than one hundred twenty chapters. How does this number of chapters affect the tone and tension within the novel? Does the multiple use of short chapters increase the suspense of the plot? Does this number of chapters make the book easier or harder to read? Do these chapters offer all the information the reader needs to comprehend the direction of the plot? Discuss other elements of the novel's structure and the impact they have on the plot. Use examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the tone of the novel. What is the tone when Alex Cross is the narrator, working on the case? Does the tone change when Alex goes home or when he is with Jamilla? Why? What affects the tone? What is the tone when the Wolf or one of his associates is the narrator? Is there a sense of danger during these sections of the novel? How is that explored in the tone?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss history and its impact on this plot. How does the author rely upon the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 and other acts of terror to terrify his readers? Would the impact of the bombing of Sunrise Valley be the same on the reader if the reader was not aware of terror attacks that have taken place in the United States and other locations throughout the world? What is the probability of a terrorist hold multiple governments ransom like the Wolf has done in this novel? Where does the line between reality and fiction lie?

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