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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 magazine does Reverend Weeb routinely warn his congregation about reading?

2. What word in Decker's supposed blackmail note makes Al Garcia question the note's legitimacy?

3. As Weeb becomes desperate for money, what does he decide to show on his television program?

4. When Decker's visitor arrives at his trailer in Miami, how many police cars are in Decker's yard?

5. Who claims that he has proof that Dickie Lockhart was murdered by Decker?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Decker is awakened in his Miami trailer by the telephone ringing, what does he expect that his visitor will be bringing to him?

2. After returning to Miami, what does Decker want to tell Dennis Gault?

3. What "proof" do the police have that point to Decker as Dickie's killer?

4. At the New Orleans bass fishing tournament, what does the angler with the heaviest stringer receive?

5. Why does Thomas Curl intend to kill R.J. Decker?

6. Why does Thomas Curl decide to kidnap Catherine?

7. What is eerily familiar to Decker about the dead body that he finds on his way back to Hammond that reminds him of Ott Pickney?

8. Why does Catherine begin to bark as Curl is driving them to Miami to confront Decker?

9. Describe Charles Weeb's boyhood, as revealed in his official church biography.

10. When Weeb realizes that two of the contestants in his fishing tournament are minorities, why is Weeb upset?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast R.J. Decker and Bobby Clink.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. Compare the role that justice plays in each of their lives. How is each character affected by the concept of justice - both positively and negatively?

Essay Topic 2

R.J. Decker's first job out of high school was as a professional photographer. Discuss Decker's professional photography positions, as well as why Decker chose to leave photography behind and become a private investigator. Then, expand your discussion to include the ironic fact that Decker's life is saved during the story through the clever use of his camera. How might Decker's life - and the story - have changed if Decker's first love had not been photography? Explain your reasoning.

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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This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample