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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 case is Dr. Scarpetta consulting on?

2. What is found on Gilly's pillowcase?

3. What is considered a common professional courtesy in the medical examiner's office?

4. What swab is a match to the Whitby swab?

5. What did Marino eat at the FOP lounge?

Short Essay Questions

1. On the day of Henri's assault, why was Lucy driving the blue Ferrari?

2. In chapter thirty when Scarpetta tells Marino to tell her all about what happened with Mrs. Paulsson, what are the reasons that makes Marino considers lying?

3. In chapter twenty-eight what does Scarpetta learn about the death of Ted Whitby?

4. Describe what Lucy finds taped to her back door.

5. How does the visit go when Lucy goes to see her next door neighbor?

6. Why does Scarpetta tell Lucy she will be sorry for moving to Miami?

7. Describe the scene in the end of chapter twenty eight in which Marino is watching Scarpetta finish up gather samples at the scene of the Whitby death.

8. Describe the treasured items that Edgar Allen Pogue moved with.

9. What are the events that Mrs. Paulsson remembers on the day of Gilly's death?

10. Where does Lucy plant listening devices in Kate's home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is said in the story that Henri is narcissistic.

Part 1) Pick three other characters in the book and explain in what ways they show, at least, moments of narcissism. Give examples of their narcissism.

Part 2) Could it be that Marino was being narcissistic to some extent when he didn't want to show Scarpetta his wounds? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Marino inadvertently gets pulled into Mrs. Paulsson's scam and she almost accuses him of raping her.

Part 1) What does this say about Mrs. Paulsson's personality? What does it say about Marino's personality that he was so easily pulled into Mrs. Paulsson's trap?

Part 2) What does it convey to the reader that Scarpetta was so eager to go and confront Mrs. Paulsson after Marino's attack?

Part 3) Is it understandable that Mrs. Paulsson was so eager to drop her accusations after Scarpetta confronted her? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

There could arguably be several different main themes in the story.

Part 1) Pick a theme that you feel is the strongest and most prevalent in the story. What is it and why did you chose that theme.

Part 2) How does an author use themes as a literary tool? In what ways does this pertain to the book Trace?

Part 3) In the first ten chapters of the book is it clear what the theme of the book is going to be? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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