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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 Dave think causes the plane to crash?

2. Why does Dave decide to give up pursuit of any further investigation into the plane crash incident?

3. What does Annie tell Dave to do?

4. What do the Coast Guard divers find on the plane?

5. What does Dautrieve tell Dave about Eddie Keats?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Dave and Annie witness as they are about to have lunch?

2. What do Dave and Annie tell Alafair about her mother and what do they do to help Alafair start healing emotionally?

3. What is an indication of Robin's possibly over drinking?

4. Why does Dave visit Robin?

5. Who does Dave think about as he is sitting in church and what are his thoughts on the subject?

6. Describe Minos P. Dautrieve.

7. Describe Dave's visit to Bubba.

8. Who visits Dave at his home and what does Dave learn and why does he make another dive?

9. What are Dave and Annie doing when the novel opens?

10. Briefly describe Robin Gaddis.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss. Be sure to include specific examples to illustrate the theme you are discussing. How do specific characters help illustrate the theme? Would this novel be different without the theme? How? Is the theme one that could be considered universal? Why or why not :

1. Trace and analyze the theme of violence.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of murder.

3. Trace and analyze the theme of betrayal.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 3, after Dave is beaten rather severely and spends the night in the hospital, he talks with the local sheriff. During the interview with the local sheriff, Dave quickly concludes that the sheriff has no intention of doing anything. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think the sheriff seems uninterested in following up on a person being beaten? Do you think this is common law enforcement practice? Do you think if the sheriff had taken action and arrested Eddie Keats, Dave would not have taken punishment into his own hands and not sparked off a chain of violence? Does violence beget violence in other works and in a sense is Dave partly responsible for Annie's death and perhaps even the sheriff who declines to take the first act of violence seriously.

2. It seems many people in the "real" world expect a lot of police officers when it comes to protecting them and their property, but when it comes to enforcing laws that the people themselves break, they think the police are unfair to too zealous. (for example, the way many people respond to a ticket for a driving violation). Is this fair to the police officers? Is it just human nature to respond when "caught"? Discuss fully using examples from the book and your own experiences.

3. Trace and analyze the actions of enforcement officers, both local police and the INS and DEA agents. Are they all ethical? Humane? Competent? What are their motives for police work? Use specific examples to illustrate your statements.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 9, Dave continues his job but begins to drown in unwanted paperwork. He is good street cop but the administrative side of the job is definitely not his strong point. Discuss the following:

1. What does Dave have to do administratively that is so consuming and onerous for him? What aspects of his personality make this paperwork so difficult for him to deal with?

2. Do you think there should be some way for men and women who are really good beat cops but lousy on paperwork to have assistance with the paperwork aspect of the job? Why or why not?

3. What could be some advantages in filling out paperwork? Disadvantages?

4. Is there too much paperwork in general in the American culture? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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