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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 Frank ask if anyone has done concerning the suitcase?

2. What is Mick Kennedy's nickname?

3. What is one thing found inside the suitcase?

4. What had Frank believed when he found a partial note from Rosie many years earlier?

5. What does Frank point out about the police investigation of Rosie's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Frank start searching the neighborhood?

2. Who else arrives on the scene, and why do none of the cops acknowledge Frank?

3. What is the outcome of the short vignette?

4. What does Frank's family speculate about the suitcase, and how does Shay sum up the speculation?

5. Where does Frank convince Kevin to go with him and what do they find?

6. What thoughts go through Frank's mind about Rosie's suitcase?

7. What does the Technical Bureau find in the basement at number 16?

8. Who has left a frantic message on Frank's phone and what is the message?

9. What does Frank think about when asked why he became a cop?

10. Who joins Frank at the pub after Scorcher leaves?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Shay and Frank. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Shay and Da and Frank and Da. How are they similar? How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Faithful Place" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Faithful Place". Questions that French most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the French' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss French's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of French and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Faithful Place: A Novel like most mystery novels involves the act of murder. Discuss the following:

1. What is murder? Is the act of murder always clearly murder?

2. Do you think the death of Rosie is tragic? Why or why not. What about Kevin?

3. Is murder ever justified? Why or why not.

4. Do you think Shay should suffer capital punishment for the murder of Rosie? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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