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

2. Why is Mr. Bidwell interviewed?

3. Who wants to see Dalgliesh after he is done at the Lorrimer house?

4. What is Brenda looking for in the files in Dr. Howarth's office?

5. Why does Brenda decide to cut through the new lab construction site?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the detectives from in a locked drawer in Dr. Lorrimer's room?

2. Who do Dalgliesh and Massingham meet upon arriving at the Lorrimer cottage and what do they learn from the person?

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

4. Describe Inspector Doyle.

5. Describe the scene at the chapel when Dalgliesh and Massingham arrive and what do they do.

6. Describe Maxim Howarth's thoughts about Domenica?

7. Describe Domenica Schofield.

8. What do Angela Foley and Stella Mawson talk about before Stella leaves the house?

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

10. What additional information does Dalgliesh learn from Angela Foley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Death of an Expert Witness, like many murder/mystery novels ends on an unhappy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Death of an Expert Witness and whether or not this book fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Death of an Expert Witness is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not Death of an Expert Witness in your opinion is a successful novel. Give specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Discuss the following:

1. Name two ideas/concepts you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze those ideas throughout the book and discuss whether you think P.D. James has an agenda concerning those ideas.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

(see the answer keys)

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