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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 ends Scarpetta's visit to Susan's house?

2. Who wrote "Cruel and Unusual"?

3. How is Susan Stone killed?

4. Who tells Scarpetta that the police were able to lift several fingerprints from the scene where Jennifer's body was found?

5. In what city does Dr. Scarpetta work?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Nicholas Grueman?

2. What is Scarpetta's feeling on the death penalty?

3. What is so strange about the prison warden's behavior at the holiday party Scarpetta attends?

4. Describe Scarpetta's personal life.

5. Why does Jennifer's neighbor not like her?

6. What medical case/situation does a detective ask for Scarpetta's advice on while she is dealing with Waddell's body?

7. What does Lucy suggest about what has happened to Scarpetta's computer?

8. What suspicious call does Scarpetta get while in the lab after Jennifer's autopsy?

9. What does Scarpetta think of Heath's wounds?

10. What reasons does Susan give Scarpetta for why she has been acting funny lately?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Cornwell using "Cruel and Unusual" as a means for making a commentary on the death penalty? If so, what is her message, and what 3 literary devices does she use to convey her opinion on the issue?

Essay Topic 2

Given what you know about Scarpetta's character, address why she is so hesitant to discuss the money she took out of her account to help the Hales. Make sure to discuss at least 3 specific events or decisions in the novel that help develop the reader's awareness of Scarpetta's personality that lead her to not be open about her offer to the Hales.

Essay Topic 3

Describe at least 4 negative aspects of having a protagonist as strong as Dr. Scarpetta. Make sure to use evidence from the novel to support your position.

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This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample