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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. How does Kinsey respond to Charlie when he takes her out to the Ranch House in Ojai?

2. On her second visit to their house, what does Kinsey hear in the Glass's basement?

3. How does Diane feel about what happened to Bruno?

4. When Kinsey returns to the Glass residence, what does Mrs. Glass call Libby?

5. Whom does Kinsey phone to arrange a meeting with soon after she returns from L.A.?

Short Essay Questions

1. The morning after Sharon Napier's death, Kinsey heads to Salton Sea. Who does she meet there, and what does she learn?

2. After visiting Greg Fife, Kinsey goes to see Diane Fife, his sister. What does Diane share with Kinsey about her parents?

3. What does Greg Fife tell Kinsey about his father's allergy that might have some bearing on the case?

4. After Garry shares his news about Lyle, Gwen Fife calls Kinsey, and they arrange to meet for lunch. What does Gwen tell Kinsey, and how does Kinsey respond?

5. Kinsey phones Charlotte Mercer after discussing the "Darling Elizabeth" letter with Con Dolan. What does Charlotte tell her? Who can Kinsey now eliminate as suspects? Who can't she eliminate, causing her uneasiness?

6. What surprising things does Gwen Fife tell Kinsey when she meets her at Rosie's Bar?

7. After confronting Lyle in L.A., Kinsey goes to the accounting firm where Libby used to work. What does she tell Garry Steinberg that she suspects about Charlie?

8. What details does Kinsey have to take care of when she returns to her motel in Los Angeles, after concluding her meetings with Greg and Diane Fife?

9. After fighting and reconciling with Charlie, Kinsey meets with Homicide Detective Dolan again. What does he tell her about the "Darling Elizabeth" letter? How does Kinsey feel about this?

10. What does Kinsey do when she returns to the Glass residence the day after the explosion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting refers to the time and the place where a story takes place. Compare and contrast the main settings of "'A' Is for Alibi": Santa Teresa, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. How do the settings have an impact on the novel? Cite at least three examples for each setting.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Define climax as part of the plot structure in literature. Where does the climax occur in "'A' Is for Alibi"? What is the result of the events of the climax? What does it reveal about the purpose of the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,163 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample