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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 gave Pat Harvey the tip about the possible drug activities of certain charities?

2. Who is writing a book about the murdered couples?

3. What famous Virginia location is close to the Globe and Laurel?

4. Who calls Dr. Sessions about the murders of Deborah and Fred?

5. In all of the unsolved teen murders, Scarpetta has not been able to do what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Scarpetta dread having lunch with Pat Harvey?

4. How does Ozimek describe her impressions of Marino's wife?

5. Give an example of Scarpetta's scientific approach examining the bodies of Harvey and Cheney in the woods.

6. What prompts Pat Harvey to call in a psychic, Hilda Ozimek?

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

8. Why does Scarpetta think her personal competence as the chief medical examiner is being called into question?

9. How does Pat Harvey exert her influence to get a copy of the autopsy report of her daughter?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Each character below had a feeling of incompetence that led to frustration and anger. Indicate what steps the character took to overcome their feelings. Be sure to use examples from the book to support your statements.

Kay Scarpetta

Pete Marino

Essay Topic 3

At one point, Scarpetta tells Marino she believes it's not the selection of the victims that's most important to the killer, it's the selection of the place. What does Scarpetta mean by that statement? Do you think her supposition is correct or not? Support your answer with examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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