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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. What does Spade tell the police about his relationship with Iva?

2. Which other policeman arrives with Tom Poulhaus?

3. How old does Spade think the man is following him?

4. What city is the man from in Spade's story?

5. How does Spade get to the murder site?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Brigid want to get rid of the falcon?

2. What does Sid Wise reveal about Iva in the twelfth chapter?

3. How are Spade suspicions about Cairo's sexual orientation confirmed by Brigid?

4. What has happened to Miss Wonderly's sister?

5. What does Spade work out about Miss Wonderly in the second chapter?

6. What does Spade tell Brigid that Cairo wants?

7. How does Spade react to Brigid not being able to afford his services?

8. Why does Spade think it is a good idea to use a fall guy?

9. In what way does Brigid show her desperation for Spade services in the sixth chapter?

10. Why is the sixth chapter called the undersized shadow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hammett was a communist. Using two examples from the novel discuss the ways the story reflects Hammett's political ideas?

Essay Topic 2

Look at the novel's characterization. How well drawn do you think Hammett's characters are? Select one of the minor characters such as Dundy and discuss how much you know about his background. In what ways does Hammett provide the reader with information about that character?

Essay Topic 3

Compare the characters of Sam Spade and Brigid.

1) In what way are their morals different?

2) What is their relationship to each other?

3) Do you think they are the perfect match?

(see the answer keys)

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