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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 found the dead bodies in Marsten House in 1939?

2. Who dared nine-year-old Ben Mears to go inside Marsten House?

3. What does Ben tell Matt not to tell when he calls for help regarding the dead man in his guest bedroom?

4. Who is Marsten House named for?

5. Who does the tall man's companion tell an unbelievable story to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What house does Ben Mears make note of as he drives into Jerusalem's Lot?

2. What is usual about the box that two movers are ordered to take to the Marsten House?

3. Who does Matt run into at Dell's on Thursday night?

4. Who are the tall man and the boy?

5. To whom does the boy make a confession?

6. What do Ben and Susan discuss is still living in the Marsten House?

7. Who sold the Marsten House to Straker and Barstow? Why?

8. Which children go missing in Chapter 4? Who sounds the alarm?

9. What do Ben and Matt discuss over dinner in Chapter 7?

10. What detail does Ben suggest Matt leave out of his discussion with the police about Mike's death? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following aspects of the setting of this novel:

1) The time period. In what year is the novel set? What impact does this year have on the novel? How does this year compare to modern time?

2) The location. Why was Maine chosen? What is unique about this area, this town, that leaves it vulnerable to attack by vampires?

3) The setting as a whole. How does the setting influence the development of the plot? What about the setting makes the plot more believable? How would the novel be different if it had been set elsewhere or in a different time period?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss symbolism. What does the crucifix symbolize in this novel? How is the crucifix used as a weapon against the vampires? Why does Ben's tongue depressor crucifix work against Mrs. Glick, but Father Callahan's crucifix does not work against Barlow? What does this say about Ben and Father Callahan? What does Marsten House symbolize in this novel? Why? What does the coffin symbolize?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss foreshadowing. How is the arrival of the vampires foreshadowed in the beginning of this novel? How does the childhood prank pulled on Ben Mears foreshadow his return to Jerusalem's Lot? How does the death of Ben's wife foreshadow Ben's act of murder against Susan? Discuss how Susan's relationship with Floyd Tibbits foreshadows the altercation between him and Ben.

(see the answer keys)

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