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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 Spenser not have regarding this case?

2. Why does Spenser have a sandwich?

3. To what does Spenser compare private investigating?

4. How much money does Roger say that Margery spends on clothing?

5. What is behind a school in Old Smithfield?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Bartletts respond to the knowledge of the hearse and coffin?

2. What is known about Kevin at this point?

3. Who pulls up to Margery? Why?

4. What does Spenser tell the Bartletts he will do?

5. Has Kevin ever run away before?

6. What is done regarding a stakeout?

7. What is learned about Vic? What happens when Vic and Spenser meet?

8. What happens after the man heads into the woods?

9. What does Spenser tell Susan about this case?

10. Who is in the Bartlett home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spenser speaks with two school employees who know Kevin.

Part 1) Describe these two people. What information does he learn from each?

Part 2) What does this interaction reveal about each of these two people?

Part 3) What clues into Kevin's life and into reason behind the kidnapping do these meetings give Spenser?

Essay Topic 2

This case ends with the return of Kevin.

Part 1) What might be Kevin's fate now that it is learned he was not kidnapped as first thought?

Part 2) What will happen to Vic? Will Kevin try to help him? Why or why not?

Part 3) What might come of the other characters in the book, now that the case is over?

Essay Topic 3

Spenser has a sense of humor and is very sarcastic.

Part 1) Describe Spenser's sense of humor and sarcasm. How does it affect his relationships?

Part 2) How does his humor and sarcasm help him in his investigative work?

Part 3) How does this humor and sarcasm affect the reader, one's engagement in the book? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 931 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample