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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 does the nurse give Walter?

2. What happens when Phyllis files her claim for payment?

3. Who has been interviewing everyone on the train?

4. How does Walter find out about his shooting?

5. What confuses Walter about Phyllis?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lola react when Walter advises her about not testifying about Phyllis?

2. Describe Lola's demeanor when she visits Walter at his office a week later.

3. What is the symbolism of the moon at the end of the story?

4. What does Keyes tell Walter to get him to start thinking about confessing to Nirdlinger's murder?

5. What is Walter's main concern after he tells Keyes about killing Nirdlinger?

6. What is Keyes' position on the accident?

7. What realization does Walter come to when he sees Phyllis on board?

8. What are the terms of the deal that Keyes presents to Walter?

9. What transpires when Keyes returns to Walter's hospital room later that night?

10. What reinforces Lola's love for Sachetti?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the symbolism of Walter's using the crutch to kill Mr. Nirdlinger. What does this choice show about Walter? Why did the author choose the crutch when there are so many other options available to Walter?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Walter have a change of heart regarding Phyllis? What enters into the relationship that makes her repugnant to him? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

This story is built on a thread of tension for dramatic effect. Cite three examples from the book in which the author puts the characters in almost unbearably tense situations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,211 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample