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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. Whose letters do the detectives find in a locked drawer in Dr. Lorrimer's room?

2. To whose car are the tire tracks matched?

3. What do the detectives hear moaning?

4. How does Dr. Kerrison appear as he is answering Dalgliesh's questions?

5. How is the man seen running from the lab the night before described?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do several witnesses on a bus tell the detectives?

3. Describe Brenda Pridmore's walk through the construction site.

4. What does Dalgliesh learn upon interviewing Inspector Doyle?

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

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

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

8. What does Dalgliesh find during his search of the chapel?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Death of an Expert Witness. What is it about a small village in England changes the plot compared to a setting in a large city in the United States? Does the fact that in England the death penalty is illegal make a difference in how the reader feels about Dr. Kerrison in the end?

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Death of an Expert Witness. How is the theme represented by symbolism, the characters' behaviors, or the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Death of an Expert Witness. How are the themes represented by symbolism, the characters' behaviors, or the action?

Essay Topic 2

Probably one of the most important literary techniques in a detective novel is foreshadowing. However, much of the foreshadowing is only obvious by the end of the book. P.D. James gives plenty of clues as to the outcome of the main plot and so the reader should not be totally in the dark by the end of the book. Discuss the following:

1. Find ten instances of foreshadowing in earlier parts of the book and discuss how they are fulfilled later in the book.

2. Besides foreshadowing, many mysteries contain many devices sometimes called "red herrings." Define red herring and then discuss five examples of that in the book.

3. Why do you think foreshadowing is inherent in a murder mystery? What would be the effect on the story if there were no foreshadowing? What if there were no red herrings?

Essay Topic 3

Death of an Expert Witness is one book in a series of novels involving Adam Dalgliesh. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing and reading a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are two disadvantages of writing and reading a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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