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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. Who observes as Walter and Mr. Nirdlinger discuss the papers?

2. What does Walter do after he jumps off the train?

3. What does Phyllis do to prevent all the porters from looking too closely at Walter?

4. Why does Walter begin to get nervous?

5. What is Walter's first thought to Phyllis' plea?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Walter and Phyllis' strained emotions exhibit with each other after the murder?

2. How does Phyllis surprise Walter on the evening after their talk?

3. What is the happy accident that befalls Mr. Nirdlinger?

4. Who is Mr. Sachetti?

5. Describe Walter's state of mind while waiting for the time to kill Mr. Nirdlinger arrives.

6. What is Walter's state of mind immediately after the murder and what mistake does he preempt?

7. What precipitates Walter's meeting Phyllis Nirdlinger?

8. Who is Keyes?

9. Describe the scenario where Walter kills Mr. Nirdlinger.

10. From what point of view is this story told?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is the relationship between Walter and Lola credible? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the meaning of the book's title. What is the literal meaning? What is the figurative meaning? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Keyes is obviously the voice of reason throughout the story. Does the author create him as a sympathetic character, or is he always an irritant to both the reader and the characters in the story? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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