View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is at a family barbecue when he is called to the scene when Mallory is putting Markowitz's wedding ring back on his finger?

2. Who does Mallory examine that is mutilated?

3. What does Kaplan do for a living?

4. On whose wall are there mysterious messages and automatic writing in lipstick?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How was Mallory adopted by the Markowitz family?

2. Why is Mallory disconcerted when she meets Edith?

3. How is Siddon described in Chapter 4?

4. How does Mallory gain access into the theater where Gaynor is?

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

6. Why does the photographer think Siddon committed suicide?

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

8. How do Kaplan and Mallory interact at the crime scene?

9. Why is Butler upset with Mallory in her new office in his building?

10. Why is Margot unable to prove that she is related to Siddon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the novel's title. Why do you think the author named the book Mallory's Oracle? Now that you have read the book, how does that alter your understanding of the title? Are you intrigued to find a sequel or more mysteries with Mallory? Why or why not? Cite examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 812 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample