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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. What did Scarpetta say about the skulls of Deborah and Fred?

2. What does Hilda tell Scarpetta she can see around people?

3. What was found at the crime scene, alerting investigators the teens had made a stop?

4. What is Scarpetta asking Dr. Vessey to examine?

5. What caused the intense reaction by one of the search and rescue dogs at the crime scene?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Abby find out about the Seven-Eleven and what does it show?

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

5. In Chapter 9, what issues does Scarpetta have with the FBI's surveillance of the woods?

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

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

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

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

10. Describe how Pat Harvey might be feeling when she first arrives at the rest stop where her daughter's abandoned Jeep has been found.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

All of the evidence gathered in the search of Steven Spurrier's was considered circumstantial. In fact, there was no conclusive evidence that ever linked Spurrier directly to The Couple Murders. Do you agree or disagree with Scarpetta, Wesley and others that Spurrier was the serial killer? What information from the book would you point to to support your conclusion. Be specific.

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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