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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 else heard Deborah and Fred being directed to the rest area?

2. What does Pete Marino think about Scarpetta's friend, Abby Turnbull?

3. Who else does Scarpetta visit in Washington, DC after seeing Dr. Vessey?

4. What does Pat Harvey threaten to do if Scarpetta doesn't give her what she asked for?

5. What does Pat Harvey want Scarpetta to give her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marino think the killer did to get Fred to go into the woods without resistance?

2. What's stressful for Scarpetta in dealing with parents?

3. Why does Scarpetta wish to avoid answering Pat's question about the search-and-rescue dog in Chapter 2?

4. Why is Scarpetta concerned about the bodies of Cheney and Harvey being moved?

5. What is the significance of Pat Harvey's political connections on the investigation of her daughter's disappearance?

6. Describe the appearance of the bodies of Harvey and Cheney at the murder scene.

7. What information is Scarpetta after when she meets Wesley for lunch in Chapter 9?

8. Why does Scarpetta feel betrayed by Abby Turnbull in Chapter 4?

9. What does Pat Harvey believe about her daughter's death?

10. Describe Scarpetta's reaction to the newspaper headlines after the abandoned Jeep was found.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to write about:

1) Discuss the multiple issues the FBI was balancing while investigating The Couple Killings and the impact of those issues on the investigation.

2) Abby Turnbull and Pat Harvey share information with each other on a regular basis. Do you think this was a reasonable thing for Abby to do? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

3) Pat Harvey was convinced Steven Spurrier murdered her daughter and that Spurrier would never be convicted. Ms. Harvey decided to take matters into her own hands. What do you think of Pat Harvey's decision and should her actions have been foreseen by the police and FBI? Use examples from the book to explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In many ways, it makes sense that an FBI profiler would seek out the expertise of a psychic. Compare and contrast how the work of Benton Wesley and Hilda Ozimek. Whose work do you think is more important to the solving of The Couple Killings and why? Support your conclusion with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Hilda Ozimek, the psychic, played a key role in this story. The following two part question addresses the nature of this character in the development of the story's plot. Be sure to support your answer using examples from the story.

a) How is Ozimek's character useful in moving the story forward?

b) Could the author have used another device or character with equal effectiveness?

(see the answer keys)

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