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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 do the men do during the bridge game that is different from the women?

2. To whom is Anne a companion?

3. Who does Shaitana say he will invite to his event?

4. Who does Despard think is a good player?

5. Who tells Mrs. Oliver that in real life they must approach the process differently instead of going on instinct?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What seems inconsistent to Poirot with Mrs. Lorrimer's apparent suicide?

4. Why does Poirot ask suspects about their bridge game?

5. What does Major Despard's story of the incident in the Amazon reveal about himself?

6. What does Mrs. Lorrimer's memory about the card game at Shaitana's party reveal about her?

7. In the process of setting up the investigation, what is discovered about Shaitana's intentions?

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

9. How does Poirot's analysis of Dr. Roberts vary from that of Miss Meredith?

10. How does the reader's perception of Anne change in Chapters 17 and 18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Major Despard's character, comparing and contrasting him with Rhoda Dawes and with Anne Meredith.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Create a brief character study of Shaitana. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point in his life?

(see the answer keys)

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