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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. Which statement does NOT apply to Rosie's Bar?

2. According to Nikki, why was Laurence Fife taking a medication called HistaDril before he died?

3. While they are meeting at Nikki's marital home, what does Nikki tell Kinsey is the reason for Gwen and Laurence's divorce?

4. What does Kinsey plan to do after she meets with Sharon Napier?

5. Libby Glass worked for Haycraft and McNiece. What does this firm do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader find out about the city of Santa Teresa in Chapter 2?

2. After her discussion with Charlotte Mercer, Kinsey decides she must find Sharon Napier. How does she do this?

3. What happens when Kinsey gets to Sharon's apartment?

4. What is Con Dolan's impression of Kinsey's assessment of the Fife case?

5. How does Kinsey decide that she will investigate the case for Nikki?

6. In Chapter 6, where does Kinsey meet Nikki to talk about what she has learned so far? What is the place like? What information do they share?

7. How does Kinsey get to Las Vegas?

8. Kinsey likes to jog every day, and when she goes out for her daily run after visiting Montebello, Charlie Scorsoni pulls up beside her in his blue Mercedes. They go back to Kinsey's apartment. What do they talk about there?

9. Kinsey confronts Lyle after she leaves the Glass residence by following him to his workplace. How does he respond to her questions about Libby?

10. At the beginning of the novel, Kinsey is approached by Nikki Fife. What is Nikki's background, and what does she want Kinsey to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does authenticity mean when it applies to the writing of fiction? What must be made authentic in the genre of mystery novel writing? Give four examples of specific topics or events that the author has made authentic in "'A' is for Alibi."

Essay Topic 2

Conflict is a common element of writing in both fiction and nonfiction. Why is conflict so often used in narratives? How can it help move a story along? Give four examples where conflict in "'A' Is for Alibi" occurs and how it helps explain the relationship between Kinsey and other characters.

Essay Topic 3

State the theme of "'A' Is for Alibi." How is the theme of the story reflected in the conflicts Kinsey Millhone experiences as she works on her case? Give four examples with an explanation for each one.

(see the answer keys)

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