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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. Why does Kinsey think this new information on Lyle's past work life might be important?

2. One of Kinsey's contacts lets her in on some new information about a past work position Lyle Abernathy held. What is the information?

3. After visiting Garry Steinberg, Kinsey hits the road for Santa Teresa and thinks about Charlie as she drives. What conclusion does she reach?

4. How does Kinsey respond to the Santa Teresa homicide detective's interest in Sharon Napier's death?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. After taking photos of Marcia Threadgill, Garry Steinberg passes some information on to Kinsey. What is it, and why might it be important to the case?

2. When she gets home from Nikki's beach house, Charlie is waiting for Kinsey, but she is not very happy to see him. She agrees to go to dinner with him. What happens at the Ranch House restaurant?

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

4. After her third visit to the Glass residence, Kinsey returns to Santa Teresa and sleeps until 4 in the afternoon. Then she heads to Nikki's beach house. What happens at the beach house?

5. While driving back to Santa Teresa after visiting Garry Steinberg, what does Kinsey realize about her relationship with Charlie? How do Sharon's phone bills help her verify this?

6. Kinsey now knows that Gwen killed Laurence but is still puzzled about the deaths of Libby and Sharon. She realizes there must be another murderer. Where does she go, and what does she plan to do?

7. After her fight with Charlie, what does Kinsey do? What does this make her realize? What happens when he comes over later to apologize?

8. After Diane talks about her parents, Kinsey asks her about Bruno, the dog who died on the last Labor Day weekend Laurence was alive. How does Diane respond to this?

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

10. What is the result of Kinsey's going to the Ranch House restaurant with Charlie?

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

In reference to the plotting of "'A' Is for Alibi":

(1) Why are the events of the novel arranged as they are?

(2) What moves the narrative along? Is it external action or internal conflicts? Or a combination of both? Support your answer with three examples.

Essay Topic 3

Charlie Scorsoni is presented as an antagonist in "'A' Is for Alibi." Why does the author choose to keep this hidden from the reader until very near the end of the novel? Explain how the author presents Charlie in a negative light, giving four examples.

(see the answer keys)

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