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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 long has Mawson been dead?

2. With whom does Domenica live?

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

4. About whom is Dalgliesh thinking as he is in his motel room?

5. Who is Alfred Goddard?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Dr. Lorrimer.

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

4. What does Angela Foley do when she learns of Stella's death and what does Dalgliesh believe about the death?

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

6. Describe Inspector Doyle.

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

8. Describe Domenica Schofield.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare and contrast Dr. Lorrimer with Dr. Kerrison. How are they similar and how are they different? Do you think Dr. Lorrimer's hatred of Dr. Kerrison had any basis in Dr. Lorrimer's own self image?

2. Compare and contrast Director Howarth with Domenica Schofield. How are they similar and how are they different? Can you tell where they have similar issues by being half siblings?

3. Compare and contrast Adam Dalgliesh with John Massingham.How are they similar and how are they different? How are their investigative styles alike or different? How do they interact with people differently?

(see the answer keys)

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