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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. Where is Doyle parked the night of the murder of Lorrimer?

2. Who takes Brenda Pridmore home?

3. Who does Dalgliesh meet outside Mr. Lorrmier's home?

4. How does the rector's wife describe Mr. Lorrimer and his son?

5. What does Howarth tell Brenda Pridmore when she arrives at work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Major Hunt tell Dalgliesh and Massingham about Dr. Lorrimer's will?

2. Describe Inspector Doyle.

3. What does Bradley tell Dalgliesh when questioned about the vomit?

4. Describe Maxim Howarth's thoughts about Domenica?

5. What does Dalgliesh learn upon interviewing Inspector Doyle?

6. How does Dalgliesh sum up his investigation so far at the end of the first day?

7. What do the detectives learn from Mr. Lorrimer?

8. Where does Brenda work the day after the discovery of the murder and what does she discuss with Director Howarth?

9. What does Dalgliesh ask Domenica and Howarth and what astounds the detectives with Domenica's reply?

10. Describe Dr. Lorrimer.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The murder of Stella Mawson comes late in the book. Discuss the following:

1. How does the murder of Stella Mawson contribute to the basic plot line or not?

2. How different would Death of an Expert Witness be if Mawson has not been murdered?

3. How did you as a reader react to Mawson's murder? Explain thoroughly.

4. Most readers have heard of the term "gratuitous violence" when referring to violence that seems to be a part of a story for no good reason. Is this true of Mawson's murder? Explain your thoughts with examples.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of characters who hate and/or dislike Dr. Lorrimer. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Director Howarth's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer. Are they reasonable and justified? On what grounds do you think the feelings arise? Do you think Dr. Lorrimer feels the same way towards Director Howarth? Do you think Howarth's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer are strong enough to lead Howarth to commit murder?

2. Discuss Domenica Schofield's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer. Are they reasonable and justified? On what grounds do you think the feelings arise? Do she ever care for Dr. Lorrimer? Do you think Domenica's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer are strong enough to lead her to commit murder?

3. Discuss Cliff Bradley's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer. Are they reasonable and justified? On what grounds do you think the feelings arise? Why do you think Cliff makes the comments he makes in the library as the staff is awaiting the arrival of Dalgliesh? Do you think Bradley's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer are strong enough to lead him to commit murder?

(see the answer keys)

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