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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 is in Mallory's apartment that describes who the killer was and why while parts of the board jump up?

2. As the investigation continues, who becomes messy and less like a perfectionist surprising Riker?

3. What kind of puppy sits at Redwing's feet?

4. Who emerges as a reluctant hero/ine by the end of the novel?

5. In the cryptic conversation with the mystery caller contacted by Evenroe, who died in childbirth?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Butler wakes up in the hospital, why is he confused?

2. What did the director do with the information Redwing gave him?

3. After Gaynor's death, where is the blame for the murders going?

4. How does Butler meet Fanny Evenroe and what do they discuss?

5. In the end, how does Mallory act by Markowitz?

6. Why does Margot alarm a customer at a thrift store?

7. When Butler goes to Edith's house, how does he determine changes that help him as clues to the investigation?

8. How does Mallory act in the investigation that raises alarms for her tendency of being a sociopath?

9. What does Mallory regret about Markowitz at the end of the novel?

10. Why was Redwing never prosecuted prior to the Markowitz case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

O'Connell uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two themes about loss in the book. Then cite an example to support your answer.

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

Mallory's Oracle is a detective fiction novel. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category?

(see the answer keys)

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