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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 reason is Scarpetta given for the unusual appearance of Waddell's body?

2. What does Lucy question Scarpetta about on the phone that makes her uncomfortable?

3. What suggests that Waddell hasn't eaten in a few days?

4. What is Scarpetta's opinion of Heath's killer?

5. What does Lucy do to pass the time when Scarpetta is at work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Lucy and Scarpetta do on Christmas morning?

2. How are Scarpetta and Jennifer Deighton connected?

3. What makes Marino and Scarpetta think Jennifer was not killed as part of a robbery.

4. What did Jennifer take an interest in shortly before her death?

5. What conclusion do Marino and Scarpetta come to regarding Jennifer's death?

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

7. Why is the prison nearly empty when Marino and Scarpetta go to investigate Waddell's execution?

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

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

10. What does Marino confess to Scarpetta about his dating life while over at her house on Christmas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Marino and Wesley. How are they similar? How are they different? Make sure to use direct evidence from the text, such as examples and quotations, to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Present a well-reasoned paper arguing whether the reader is supposed to find Lucy a likable (intelligent, funky young adult) character OR an unlikable (spoiled, bratty, obnoxious teenager) character. Make sure to use specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

What clues does Cornwell give the reader that demonstrates Scarpetta's innocence throughout "Cruel and Unusual"? What does Cornwell do to make that evidence seem believable to the reader in the face of other incriminating evidence?

(see the answer keys)

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