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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 Scarpetta do to keep herself calm when she is under suspicion?

2. Why does Scarpetta think Sullivan might have reported the robbery of his apartment?

3. What happens to Waddell's body after the autopsy is performed?

4. Whose briefcase does Jennifer's ex-husband give Scarpetta?

5. Over what do Benton and Scarpetta discuss their cases during the holidays?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Scarpetta suspect about the briefcase Jennifer's ex-husband gives her?

2. How does Scarpetta explain away the incriminating evidence found in Susan's home?

3. Why does Benton not believe that Waddell would be capable of the recent murders?

4. What helps Scarpetta recognize Sullivan as the same person she saw in Grimes's house?

5. What does Scarpetta accuse Ben of during the confrontation in Ben's office?

6. How does the press know about Scarpetta's meeting with the governor?

7. What causes the governor to resign?

8. What does Grueman confess about why he was so hard on Scarpetta in law school?

9. Over dinner at the ski lodge, what do Benton and Scarpetta decide is an unlikely hypothesis of Waddell?

10. What does the bird expert say about the feathers found at every crime scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dr. Scarpetta is a highly educated woman in a position of great power. Some might argue, however, that her character is unbelievable. Write a well-written argument discussing whether or not Scarpetta is a believable character and, if so, what three literary devices Cornwell uses to make her believable (or, in contrast, what literary devices Cornwell uses that makes her, in fact, unbelievable).

Essay Topic 2

Some fans of the Scarpetta series have been disappointed in later books in the series. They believe that Cornwell has drifted away from what makes Scarpetta so appealing in the first place. Discuss the 3 most appealing aspects of Scarpetta's character. How does Cornwell convey those characteristics to the audience so that the reader is drawn into the book/series?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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