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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 is the name of the Central American dictator once on the CIA payroll?

2. What activity did Harrington and Mott like to do together, for instance on Sunday mornings?

3. When interviewed, what does Mr. Joyce remember seeing on a July night when he went to his mailbox?

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

5. What does Abby Turnbull discover about the owner of the car with the license plate number Marino traced?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does the use of the Hydra-Shok bullet suggest to Scarpetta about the killer and the investigation?

5. What are some psychological factors Wesley shares with Scarpetta and Marino in Chapter 16 about the serial killer in the Couple Killings?

6. In Chapter 16, what do Scarpetta and Marino learn about Steven Spurrier, the man that approached Scarpetta and Abby in the Williamsburg Restaurant?

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

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

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

10. After the meeting with Mr. Joyce, what does Scarpetta reason about the killer that leads her to the next step in her investigation?

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

Explain how each of the following pieces of information assisted in the development of either the plot or the characters in this story. Be specific in describing how you came to your conclusions.

Pat Harvey's husband having an affair

Pat Harvey's dislike of Fred Cheney

The mutual dislike between Pete Marino and Abby Turnbull

Essay Topic 3

The theme of trust runs through the book. Select two relationships below and describe how the element of trust influenced the nature of the relationship and the decisions of the individuals within that relationship.

1) Abby Turnbull and Kay Scarpetta

2) Kay Scarpetta and Benton Wesley

3) Abby Turnbull and Clifford Ring

4) Kay Scarpetta and Mark James

5) Kay Scarpetta and Pat Harvey

(see the answer keys)

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