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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 happens to Charlie?

2. What does Dave believe about Darlene's death?

3. What does Darlene tell Dave?

4. What happens when Mapes and Vidrine found out about what was going on?

5. How is Darlene acting?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dave dream and what might the dream foreshadow?

2. Why is Dave rushing to Cletus' home and what does he find?

3. Why does Dave believe Darlene's life is in danger?

4. Is Dave's response to Cletus taking Charlie out of the house ethical?

5. What happens when Dave picks up Alafair at school and do you think the teacher and principal are justified in their response?

6. How does Cletus save Dave's wife and do you think he and Dave are more alike than first seemed?

7. What happens when Darlene comes over to Dave's home and what is the outcome?

8. What happens at the lake and what does this incident reinforce to the reader about Dave's personality?

9. What happens that seems to indicate that Dixie Lee may finally be getting his life back on track?

10. What is Dave's response to Dixie Lee's request to help and do you think it is wise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of violence.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of murder.

3. Trace and analyze the theme of greed.

Essay Topic 2

The plot of a mystery/detective novel is part of what makes the book successful or not. Discuss the following:

1. What is the basic plot of BLACK CHERRY BLUES?

2. How successful is the author at making the plot believable?

3. How successful is the author at expressing the plot with believable characters and action?

4. Do you think most mystery/detective novels have the same basic plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Dave seems to be a bit of a hothead considering some of his run-ins with others. Discuss the following:

1. Describe and analyze three of Dave's run-ins with other people. Could Dave have handled them some other way that would have been more effective in getting what he wanted?

2. What do these run-ins say about Dave's personality?

3. There is a platitude that says "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." How do you think Dave could learn from this saying?

(see the answer keys)

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