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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 the mother of one of the missing teens arrive at the crime scene?

2. What paper does Abby work for?

3. What is one theory for the reason the couples were murdered in the series of unsolved cases?

4. What town in South Carolina are Scarpetta and Marino looking for?

5. What disguise do Scarpetta and the investigators think a serial killer might be using to lure victims?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Hilda Ozimek.

4. Explain the significance of the jack of hearts.

5. Why is a politically inspired kidnapping such a disturbing possibility?

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

7. Explain the difference if a cut is found on the top of a hand or on the palms.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sometimes a person's greatest strength can also be their downfall. With each of the following characters, describe what you believe was the person's strength and how that same attribute contributed to his or her demise.

Fred Cheney

Steven Spurrier

Pat Harvey

Essay Topic 2

Parent-child relationships are complex and sometimes difficult. Below are characters whose relationship with a parent is mentioned in the story. Explain the significance of the parent-child relationship, if any, to the development of the story or the character. Be sure to support your analysis with relevant examples from the book.

Kay Scarpetta

Steven Spurrier

Deborah Harvey

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the similarities and differences between Pat Harvey and Kay Scarpetta in terms of their careers, the choices in their personal lives, and their style of dealing with others. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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