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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 time do Degarmo and Marlowe arrive at Miss Fromsett's apartment building, according to the clerk's wristwatch?

2. What does Degarmo call the other cop at the scene of the murder Marlowe is framed for?

3. Whose car is in Kingsley's garage when Degarmo and Marlowe go to Kingsley's house?

4. What is Mrs. Grayson doing, when Marlowe comes to visit the Graysons?

5. What evidence does Marlowe have that Degarmo killed his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Grayson describe Mr. Talley?

2. What does Webber do, when Marlowe tells him about being threatened by Degarmo?

3. How does the desk sergeant annoy Degarmo?

4. Where and in what condition do Marlowe and Patton find the car that Degarmo escaped in?

5. How does Degarmo react to Marlowe mentioning the idea that Almore murdered his wife and then used his influence to get it hushed up?

6. What does Dobbs say he's going to charge Marlowe with?

7. What important information does Marlowe gain from Captain Webber?

8. What is Mrs. Talley's attitude?

9. What does Marlowe say about Muriel's explanation of why she went back to Lavery's the morning after the murder?

10. After Patton shoots at Degarmo, what does Degarmo do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marlowe's job puts him into dangerous situations. Discuss danger in the novel.

1) What causes danger in the novel? How is danger inherent in Marlowe's work?

2) How does Marlowe react to dangerous situations? What are his emotional responses? What are his intellectual responses, and what action does he take?

3) How do the antagonists in the novel react when they are in danger?

Essay Topic 2

Mildred Haviland is a character, though she is not seen during most of the novel. Her story is the primary story Marlowe is uncovering. Discuss Mildred Haviland's character.

1) What is Mildred Haviland's motivation for murder? What makes her a killer?

2) Mildred Haviland is only seen under false identities. Why does she acquire false identities? What are the implications of her acting capabilities?

3) What does the reader know about Mildred Haviland's true character? How does the reader get to know her character? How does Marlowe get to know her character?

Essay Topic 3

Phillip Marlowe is the central character of the novel, and the whole plot is seen through his eyes. Discuss Marlowe's character.

1) How does Marlowe deal with his job, including managing clients, dealing with the police, and handling danger?

2) What is Marlowe's moral and ethical code? How does that code drive his actions?

3) What qualities does Marlowe have that make him a good detective? What does his job demand from him?

(see the answer keys)

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