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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 does Kinsey call after she goes over her notes for the last time, and why?

2. While visiting Nikki and Colin for the second time, what does Kinsey tell her about Laurence?

3. Whom does Kinsey suspect of being responsible for the incident in the Glass's basement?

4. Where does Kinsey find a letter addressed to "Darling Elizabeth"?

5. Charlie and Kinsey make love again. How does Kinsey feel about this after Charlie leaves?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. 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?

6. 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?

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. 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?

9. Kinsey decides she has to return to Nikki's beach house to follow up on something. What is it, and what is the result of the follow up?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

What role do other characters play in the mystery novel "'A' Is for Alibi"? Are they as important to the narrative as the narrator (Kinsey) is? Give four examples where four other characters are central to the storytelling. Give two examples where the narrative is focused only on Kinsey. Give two examples where Kinsey's relationship with two other characters is the focus of the narrative.

Essay Topic 3

The resolution of a story is the wrapping up of details and often the aftermath of the climactic events. Why was Kinsey's report included at the end of the book? Do you believe these added to the themes of truth and justice? As a reader, how did you respond to the report?

(see the answer keys)

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