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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 is Payton's widow?

2. Which of the characters at the fundraising party is an alcoholic?

3. Of what is Penn accused by the woman who throws a drink in his face?

4. Where are Penn and his daughter when Penn decides to move back to his hometown?

5. How long has the black woman been working for the Cage family?

Short Essay Questions

1. Although Penn has no proof, what does he suspect about his father's involvement in his wife's final hours?

2. When Penn first meets with the person he agrees to be interviewed by, why is Penn stunned?

3. When the two women leave Tom's house, what has Penn decided to do for them?

4. How does Penn feel when he returns to his hometown to begin life anew?

5. When Penn's mother confesses why she has been upset, why is Penn stunned by her news?

6. Why did Presley return the gun he borrowed from Tom?

7. After Hanratty is convicted, what does Hanratty's brother do?

8. Why is Penn confused by the comments made by the woman who threw the drink in Penn's face at the fundraising party?

9. After hearing Presley's response about why Presley only returned one gun, not two, what does Tom believe?

10. Why does Shad Johnson want Penn to leave the Payton case alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Penn Cage and Olivia Marston become intimate during two different periods in their lives. Describe the circumstances surrounding each of these periods in which these two characters become involved. Then, examine how the first circumstances and the relationship these characters developed early in their lives impacted the circumstances surrounding their second meeting.

Essay Topic 2

Leo Marston wears different masks in the story. Both a community leader and a behind-the-scenes manipulator, Leo is a study in contradictions. Clearly, he can be a good man, but he just chooses not to be one. Identify, then compare and contrast the different sides of Leo Marston. How would the entire plot have been affected if Leo had not been successful at deceiving those around him? Why is it necessary for Leo to wear different masks? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to revenge, jealousy is a central theme of this novel.

a. Identify three characters that are motivated by jealousy. Describe their reasons for being jealous. Is their jealousy founded? Why or why not?

b. How does jealousy affect these characters, their decisions, and their actions?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors, or would they have been more successful if they had not been jealous? Explain your answer

(see the answer keys)

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