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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 Spade look for in Brigid's apartment?

2. What does the caller reveal?

3. In what city does the story take place?

4. Who do the police take to the station?

5. Why is this chapter called the Levantine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the police see when they enter Spade's apartment in the eighth chapter?

2. What is Spade's ulterior motive in helping out Brigid?

3. What does Brigid tell Spade about her part in the falcon in the ninth chapter?

4. How does Spade react to Brigid not being able to afford his services?

5. What do Spade and Tom Polhaus discuss in the second chapter?

6. What are the district attorney's theories about who the killer is?

7. Why is the thirteenth chapter titled Paloma?

8. Whay does Miss Wonderly pay the men $200?

9. What does Spade work out about Miss Wonderly in the second chapter?

10. What does horse feathers mean in terms of the eighth chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hammett lived in San Francisco and worked in a detective agency, adhering to the rule, writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Hammett knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Hammett does not portray a character or setting so well? What affect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Compare the characters of Sam Spade and Brigid.

1) In what way are their morals different?

2) What is their relationship to each other?

3) Do you think they are the perfect match?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Hammett's writing style. How would you describe Hammett's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Hammett's style give to the story?

(see the answer keys)

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