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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 does the sign on the gates to the Retreat say?

2. What is the name of the woman who first greats Alex and Houten at the Retreat?

3. Who does Raoul barge in on to demand the arrest of the Touch for the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Swope?

4. What is Nona giving Woody for his fever?

5. What does Alex say Swopes' greenhouse looks like in comparison to Ezra's?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Alex particularly concerned about Ricky Moody following the death of Richard Moody?

2. What does Alex think about as he tries to fall asleep on his first night in the Bel-Air Hotel?

3. Why does Ezra say it's doubtful that Marla and Nona spent much time together when Nona was young?

4. Why does Alex believe the diagnosis of cancer in their child must have been especially hard on the Swopes?

5. What does the name of the sect "The Touch" refer to?

6. Why does Alex set aside the magazine he's reading while he waits for Ezra to speak with Raoul?

7. Why doesn't Nona want to return Woody to the hospital?

8. What reason does Raoul give Alex for choosing oncology as his specialty?

9. Why does Alex say he "craved the balm of denial" as he is leaving the Touch's Retreat?

10. What is significant about the back road Alex notices on the county map in the La Vista police station?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is Augie's perspective on the events at the hospital unique? What makes him able to see things in a different way than other doctors? What about him is so difficult for Raoul to deal with? Why doesn't Raoul fire him?

Essay Topic 2

How is Kellerman uniquely qualified to write a crime novel such as this? What is his background? How is he similar to Alex?

Essay Topic 3

What outward appearance does the Touch portray to the public? What is the reality of the situation? What really happens at the Retreat?

(see the answer keys)

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