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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. Who does the sergeant major find to be given a nickname due to his love of gambling?

2. What is the name of the spy the old man expresses regret at in Section 4?

3. What is the name of Mrs. Nicolosi's lover?

4. What is the actual name of the informer the police use to gain information on the mafia?

5. What does the man who comes to talk to the police in Section 5 accuse them of treating one of the men they arrested?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the initial information the police find on Diego Marchica at the end of Section 3?

2. How does Little Priest die?

3. How do the employees of a sulphur mine react after not being paid for three months?

4. What do police do after receiving Little Priest's letter in Section 5?

5. How is the captain able to get reliable information from Little Priest in Section 2 despite knowing he was lying to him?

6. Why does Little Priest feel guilty at the beginning of Section 5?

7. What is the nature of most of the bus passengers police track down regarding the shooting in Section 1?

8. Why does the police captain tell Giuseppe he believes his brother was shot in Section 1?

9. How did Little Priest earn a living before becoming a police informant?

10. How does an old man say one can avoid being cuckolded in Section 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The leading theme throughout the book is the discovery and battle of right versus wrong. Part 1.) What appears to be the author's overall message regarding the nature of the battle between right and wrong based on the outcome of the book? Part 2.) Is there a possibility of those fighting for what is right to beat out those encouraging what is wrong, and if so how could this be achieved? Part 3.) What appears to be the captain's next step in fighting for right to overcome wrong based on his thoughts at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the symbolic meaning of the owl that is presented in the book. Why do you think the author chose to name his book "The Day of the Owl", especially considering the speech he makes about owls in Section 8 of the book?

Essay Topic 3

The portrayal of corruption is an important theme found in the book that makes the reader question the similarities the police have with the mafia. Part 1.) How does the mafia use corruption as a means to an end in the book, namely in their business ventures? Part 2.) What is telling of the nature of the police based on their tendencies of corruption in the book? Part 3.) Is the corruption used by the police warranted given their desire to find justice or does this prove they are no more innocent than the mafia?

(see the answer keys)

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