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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 is the significance of the mallet being in Dr. Lorrimer's lab?

2. What does Mercer do after offering Dalgliesh assistance?

3. Who is Inspector Blakelock?

4. By what is Cliff Bradley deeply intimidated?

5. Who requested that Angela check the keys in the safe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nell do after her father has left the house?

2. What does Susan Bradley ask of Paul Middlemass and what does he do about the request?

3. Why is Dr. Lorrimer's father calling and what does Brenda offer to do?

4. What does Howarth talk to Dr. Lorrimer about and what is the outcome?

5. How do Angela Foley and Stella Mawson come to be living together?

6. Who arrives at the lab before any one else and what surprises one of them?

7. What is Howarth doing the night of Dr. Lorrimer's murder and how does he back up his story?

8. Describe the conversation between Angela Foley and Adam Dalgliesh.

9. Describe Stella Mawson.

10. Describe the conversation between Brenda Pridmore and Adam Dalgliesh.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nell Kerrison is introduced in the first few chapters. Though she may not be considered a major character, her emotional problems are what ultimately inadvertently condemn her father as a murderer. Additionally, her father chooses to confess his crimes in order that Nell does not have to testify against him. Discuss the following:

1. Briefly analyze Nell's character. What are her strengths and weaknesses. How do her weaknesses cause problems for Dr. Kerrison?

2. Do you believe Dr. Kerrison loves William more than Nell? Why or why not? Use specific examples.

3. What sort of impact do you think it will have on Nell when she realizes she exposes her father as a murderer?

Essay Topic 2

It is essential that details in a murder mystery be accurate and adequate to fulfill the plot. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the plot of Death of an Expert Witness. Explain what constitutes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement or resolution. What details add to each aspect of the plot?

2. Analyze James's use of details. Where are there too much or too little details? What would be the consequence of too many details in a murder mystery? Of too little? Explain your ideas fully using examples from the text.

3. Do the details throughout the text support the resolution? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Angela Foley's grandmother has nothing to do with Angela as Angela is growing up and even allows the young girl to go to an orphanage when her mother dies. Discuss the following:

1. Does it make sense for the grandmother to take her dislike of her daughter out on her granddaughter? Why or why not. Is it ethical or moral? Or is it an ethical or moral issue? Explain.

2. How do you think it impacts Angela as a child for her grandmother to reject her especially after Angela's mother dies? How do you think this may have influenced her choices as an adult?

3. What personality traits do you think Angela holds as a result of being caught in the cross-hairs of the feud between her mother and grandmother?

4. Do you think Angela is capable of murder? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,191 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample