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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 Dickie Hickcock's shell corporation?

2. Amanda stares at what kind of animal outside her office window?

3. Dryer's degree is in what area?

4. Stone is taken to which hospital?

5. Where does the pair meet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the next step for the Bruce brothers? What incident makes it obvious that someone is closing in on them?

2. What has been decided about the leak in Amanda's office? Who is clean? Who is the probable leak?

3. What is the purpose of Stone's visit to Samuel Bernard? Who is Bernard? What information does Bernard supply to Stone?

4. What news does Arrington deliver on the way home from the hospital? What is Stone's reaction?

5. Discuss the scene between Amanda and Hickcock during their lunch meeting. What does Amanda say that shocks Hickcock?

6. How does Amanda intend to make a profit from the information regarding Window Seat?

7. Describe the meeting between Hickcock and Bianchi. What requests does Hickcock make?

8. What are Hickcock's instructions? What is the next step for Hickcock?

9. What are Stone's next steps in locating the Bruces?

10. Discuss Amanda's failed attempts at firing Stone. Why does Stone refuse to give up with or without Amanda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of Manhattan for the setting in the Stone Barrington series. Why do you think Woods chose Manhattan? How accurate do you think the setting is in regards to the real location? What areas are most commonly referenced in the story? What other location might have worked as well, if not better, than Manhattan? What is unique about the setting? What regionalisms are exhibited by Barrington and the rest of the characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Martha McMahon is murdered and the death is made to look like an accident. Explain why Stone thinks Martha was murdered. Also examine how the death was ruled as an accident. What were the details surrounding Martha's death? Are the behaviors outlined by Amanda typical behaviors for Martha? Explain Stone's thoughts and if the thoughts are realistic considering the evidence at the scene. Does Stone have evidence, or is it simply a hunch? How could the murder affect the case? Would it affect the reputation of Amanda or Galaxy Media? How might the murder affect Amanda's career?

(see the answer keys)

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