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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 name of the model in the magazine ad?

2. Who is the wife's tie to the Mafia?

3. What is the name of Amanda's chauffeur?

4. Amanda tells her driver to take her to a hotel in the city. What is the name of the hotel?

5. What is the name of Stone's current girlfriend?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the scene in which Stone is attacked at home.

2. Who is Amanda dart? Why is she an important figure on the New York scene?

3. Discuss some of the questions Stone asks Amanda regarding the case.

4. Examine the scene in which Arnie Millman follows Martha McMahon. What tragedy occurs?

5. Where do Stone and Amanda go after having drinks at her apartment? Who does Stone meet?

6. What is Stone's advice to Hickcock? What is Hickcock's reaction?

7. Explain the relationship between Amanda and Bill Eggers; Amanda and Richard Hickock.

8. Explain the scene between Stone and Amanda during their trip to Connecticut. What agreement does the couple make?

9. Discuss the break-in of the second upscale apartment. What items are taken?

10. Examine the meeting between Amanda and Bill Eggers.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a complete character description of Jonathan Dryer. What is Dryer's real name? What is the persona he uses in New York? How is it different from his real persona? How does he become involved with DIRT? What is Jonathan's purpose for exposing Amanda, Hickcock and Peebles? Explain. Also explain Dryer's former work with the government and training in covert operations.

Essay Topic 2

Symbolism is an important part of a mystery, often giving clues to the reader and the story's detective. What are the ways in which Woods uses symbolism in his stories? Give examples of blatant symbolism and more subtle symbolism. Compare and contrast the symbolism used in Woods' mysteries and the mysteries written by another famous author.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters, plots, settings, and outcomes of the stories woven into "DIRT". Use the scenarios in another one of Woods' series of books for comparison. How do the story lines differ? What is the conclusion of each story? Which lead character did you like better? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 932 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample