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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 Hercule Poirot do for a living?

2. What does Poirot think about Dr. Robert's playing?

3. Who is solicitous and gentle when questioning Miss Meredith?

4. What does Poirot ask Mrs. Lorrimer to tell him about the night of the murder?

5. What does Poirot think about Major Despard's playing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mrs. Lorrimer.

2. What does Major Despard say in response to Battle's questions about Shaitana and the other guests?

3. What are Mrs. Oliver's conclusions and how do the other sleuths respond, if at all?

4. When Shaitana is discovered to be dead, who is possibly implicated in the crime by proximity?

5. Why is Battle suspicious of Anne?

6. To whom did Mrs. Lorrimer send notes, and why is this important?

7. Why did Mrs. Lorrimer protect Miss Meredith? Explain with details from the text.

8. What is unusual about Poirot's method of investigation?

9. What does Mrs. Lorrimer say about the behavior of men versus women that night at Shaitana's party?

10. How does Dr. Roberts respond to Battle's questioning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the novel's title. Why do you think the author named the book Cards on the Table? Now that you have read the book, how does that alter your understanding of the title? Are you intrigued to find a sequel or more mysteries with Hercule Poirot? Why or why not? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

Miss Lorimer and Anne are two intriguing characters.

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they co-exist, and how do they interact? What is similar about them and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that Lorrimer had a direct influence upon? What are some events that Anne had a direct influence upon?

Part 3) Which character offers support to the group? Which one is stronger, and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 719 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample