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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 was found in the back seat of Elizabeth Mott's car?

2. What item does Benton Wesley tell Scarpetta that Spurrier purchased through a catalog?

3. Who is Detective Montana?

4. After Scarpetta alerts the FBI of what she saw in The Dealer's Room, how does the FBI respond?

5. What medical condition does Scarpetta learn Steven Spurrier suffered from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Abby find it hard to believe the murders of Harrington and Mott are connected to the Couple Killings?

2. Explain the importance of Spurrier's aplastic anemia.

3. Why does Scarpetta send Abby Turnbull to check out Barry Aranoff?

4. Why did Camp Peary come under suspicion soon after the Couple Killings started?

5. What do Scarpetta and Marino discover in Chapter 14 about the cemetery where the bodies of Mott and Harrington were found?

6. Why aren't the results from the serology reports for Spurrier and the blood found in Elizabeth Mott's car considered conclusive?

7. What's the sequence of events that Marino thinks led to the murders of Spurrier and Abby Turnbull?

8. Why is it significant that Aranoff is not the man that approached Scarpetta and Abby that evening at the restaurant?

9. Describe what the authorities find in Spurrier's bookcases and living room in Chapter 17.

10. What does Scarpetta learn about Deborah Harvey's father from an article in the Washington Post?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Toward the end of the book, Benton Wesley discusses what he thinks are the psycho-sexual urges that motivated Steven Spurrier to kill. Explain how the contents as well as the condition of Spurrier's home supports or undermines Wesley's conclusions about Spurrier. Be specific.

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

Describe the differences and similarities between Pat Harvey and Abby Turnbull. How do these characteristics contribute to the success of each woman? The ultimate demise of each woman? Be sure to offer specific examples from the book to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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