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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 Phyllis carrying as she approaches Walter?

2. What is Walter obsessed with avoiding?

3. What will the insurance company think about Mr. Nirdlinger?

4. Who does Walter meet at the customer's house?

5. What beverage does Phyllis offer Walter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Walter do when he returns home after the murder?

2. Who is Mr. Sachetti?

3. What precipitates Walter's meeting Phyllis Nirdlinger?

4. What are the circumstances leading up to Walter and Phyllis agreeing to kill Mr. Nirdlinger?

5. How does Phyllis initiate the idea of an accident policy on her husband?

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

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

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

9. What is Walter's second main concern related to the murder?

10. What is the biggest logistical problem Walter and Phyllis face regarding the murder?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Walter and Phyllis spend most of their time avoiding being caught for their crime. Do you think they ever felt remorse for what they did? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Walter believes that he is smarter than most of the people he deals with--including Phyllis. Explain how this is part of his downfall. What role do greed and ego play in Walter's demise?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Phyllis' personal history. What else is in her background that shows an evil character? Why does she behave the way she does?

(see the answer keys)

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