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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 Kaplan tell that it is not necessary to sit with the dead?

2. How old is the second victim of the Gray Lady Killer?

3. Where does Margot go with the hope of getting an advance on her inheritance?

4. Who is attracted to Mallory but finds it hard to say so?

5. Where does Mallory have a house in New York after Markowitz dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mallory run out screaming from the seance?

2. How is Margot described in Chapter 5?

3. Why does a dog jump out the window in the prologue?

4. When Margot cannot get into her apartment, how does she reveal her desperation in her subsequent acts?

5. Despite what limitations does Butler like Cathery?

6. Why does the photographer think Siddon committed suicide?

7. What does one of Butler's tenants tell him about the building and other tenants?

8. Why is Butler's presence at poker important?

9. What are possible motives for Cathery to commit the murder?

10. What does Butler do at Markowitz' funeral that shocks everyone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe some of the settings for the book. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did O'Connell choose to use these places in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Both Mallory and Butler are important characters.

Part 1) Compare Mallory to Butler. How are these two characters similar and how are they different?

Part 2) What psychological purpose or insight does Mallory offer? Elaborate on this.

Part 3) Mallory offers to examine the past of the murder suspects. What is implied in this decision and how does it reveal that the murder motive is connected to the past of the murderer and not the present circumstances alone?

Essay Topic 3

Mallory's personality invokes strong attraction for multiple characters ranging from Butler to Coffey. Why is this so? Whom is she attracted to if anyone? What is it about Mallory's personality that evokes protective instincts in men? What are some of her negative characteristics?

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