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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 Walter say is the only reason he has confessed to Nirdlinger's murder?

2. What does Walter do the following morning?

3. What is Walter's plan?

4. Who does Walter want to be implicated in his plan?

5. What country does Walter see from the deck?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What shock does Walter get on his second day at sea?

3. How does Walter find out who Keyes thinks is Phyllis' accomplice?

4. What are the details of Walter's plan to kill Phyllis?

5. What is it that finally makes Walter admit to murdering Nirdlinger?

6. Why does Walter's secretary, Nettie, call him at home that morning?

7. What happens after Walter wakes up in the hospital?

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

9. What does Phyllis do after the insurance company denies liability for the accident claim?

10. What are the preliminary investigative results about the case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story illustrates how evil thoughts lead to evil deeds. Why is Walter a prime candidate to take part in the crime? What is the lethal combination that lures him to make this decision?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

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