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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 Cross ask Christine to do at the end of the novel?

2. What does Soneji throw inside the hospital room when he sees Cross and Groza?

3. What newspaper does Mr. Smith spread over the linoleum in the farmhouse kitchen?

4. Where does Martin Straw live?

5. What does Pierce receive at 2:15 AM when he is searching for Sante?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Pierce and Sampson discover on Walter Murphy's farm?

2. What happens to the Cross family the night of Cross' surprise party?

3. How does Mr. Smith interfere with Cross' time with his children in the grocery store?

4. Describe Soneji's final moments.

5. What does Cross notice about Pierce's apartment?

6. What is the first clue Pierce leaves after he has killed Isabella?

7. What does Pierce remember about the unusual detail in his Cambridge foyer on the night Isabella is murdered?

8. Why does Christine travel in an FBI sedan?

9. Does Sampson become angry with Pierce for leaving to go to Paris?

10. Why do Sampson and Pierce travel to Princeton, NJ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the plot development of this novel. How does the author connect the two stories of Soneji and Mr. Smith?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Pierce Thomas. How do other characters respond to him? What does he think of himself? What fatal flaw does his character have?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of good versus evil in this novel. How does the author balance evil with scenes of "good" or happiness? Provide textual examples that reflect these themes.

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