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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. Who picks up Christine Johnson at her apartment in Chapter 97?

2. What color hair does Sondra Greenberg have?

3. How old is Pierce?

4. Cross says to blame Craig for what in Chapter 102?

5. What does Christine call students in Laura Dixon's first-grade class?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Does Mr. Smith seem to know a lot about Abel Sante?

3. What message does Mr. Smith leave for Cross after he has killed Inez?

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

5. What does Pierce find in Conklin's cellar?

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

7. What is Cross' reaction to his surprise party?

8. Describe Sondra Greenberg.

9. What is Soneji's state of mind as he hurries through Bellevue on his way to the fourth floor?

10. What does Pierce think about his discovery of evidence in the coal stove in Cross' cellar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of trains to Soneji? Why did he steal his stepbrother's train set and bury it? How do the murders in the train stations make him feel as though he is taking back his power?

Essay Topic 2

What role(s) does Nana Mama play in Cross' life? Choose three textual examples that help identify her role(s) and her influence on Cross.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Christine's and Alex's relationship throughout the novel. How does this relationship flourish, even through the terrible crimes that Cross has to investigate? How does Christine provide Alex with support and comfort? What does Alex seem to give to Christine?

(see the answer keys)

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