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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 Catherine's husband do for a living?

2. How does Pickney describe Skink to Decker?

3. As Dickie Lockhart knocks on Weeb's hotel room door in New Orleans, what is Dickie carrying with him?

4. What does Pickney find attached to the console from Bobby's boat that should not have been there?

5. When Decker first sees Skink, what is Skink holding?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Catherine call Decker when she and James were on their honeymoon?

2. Why does the local pathologist who examines Bobby Clinch's body not do a thorough autopsy?

3. As Decker returns to Skink's house after Bobby's funeral, why does Decker honk his horn twice?

4. According to Weeb, why are round lakes fiscally irresponsible?

5. Why does Ott Pickney become the Davey Dillo mascot for the high school?

6. What does Decker like best about the car he drives?

7. Why does Decker not bother to hide his expensive camera equipment in his trailer home?

8. What are the demands which Weeb agrees to when confronted by Dickie in Weeb's hotel room in New Orleans?

9. Years earlier, when Dennis Gault offered money to an undercover federal officer to kill Dickie Lockhart, why wasn't Dennis arrested?

10. Decker realizes that he's met Lanie Gault before Harney. Where did Decker originally meet Lanie Gault?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast how the character of R.J. Decker changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Decker's character when he is first introduced in the story, when he agrees to work for Dennis, when he finds Dickie's body, after Catherine is abducted, and when Decker confronts Curl. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story, there are several attempts made on Decker's life.

a. Identify three characters or groups who try to kill Decker. Describe the situation and how Decker escapes.

b. Compare and contrast the characters that try to kill Decker, as well as these characters' motivations.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses several different literary techniques as the story is told in regards to the story's flow. Describe the techniques of both flashbacks and foreshadowing. How are each of these techniques used in the story? Give specific examples of each technique. Why might the author have chosen to use both of these techniques in the story? Was the story enhanced by the use of these two techniques? Why or why not?

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