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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Dupin identifies Rachett as Edmund's step-father, what does Edmund tell him about the reason his mother came to America?
(a) To get a divorce.
(b) To get a better job.
(c) To find her sister.
(d) To get married.

2. What two things does this novel incorporate?
(a) Poe's literary methodology and Poe as a fictional character.
(b) Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot as characters.
(c) Police work and amateur sleuthing.
(d) Magic and realism.

3. What does Dupin asks Edmund to do when they first meet?
(a) Help him get a job.
(b) Deliver a letter.
(c) Help him write a story.
(d) Solve a mystery.

4. What does Dupin find in the bank vault?
(a) A corpse.
(b) Edmund's sister.
(c) A piece of string.
(d) Money.

5. At the beginning of the story, how long have the children been alone?
(a) Ten days.
(b) Two days.
(c) Two hours.
(d) Two weeks.

6. When he is at Mrs. Whitman's house to deliver Dupin's letter, what does Edmund hear Mrs. Powers say she thinks Mrs. Whitman should do?
(a) Marry Mr. Arnold.
(b) Get a divorce.
(c) Remain unmarried.
(d) Marry Mr. Poe.

7. When Edmund sees the corpse at the docks, at the beginning of the story, who does he identify her as?
(a) His father.
(b) His sister.
(c) His mother.
(d) His aunt.

8. How does Dupin learn that Aunty Pru was told of Edmund's mother's location?
(a) A sailor.
(b) A banker.
(c) An ad in a newspaper.
(d) A letter from Edmund's mother.

9. When Edmund and Mrs. Whitman first meet, where does Mrs. Whitman tell Edmund to have Dupin meet her?
(a) At the cemetery behind her house.
(b) At the tavern.
(c) At the courthouse.
(d) At the docks.

10. Which fictional detective did Poe's writings influence?
(a) Hercules Parrot.
(b) Hercule Poirot.
(c) Hercule Parrot.
(d) Hercules Poirot.

11. When they investigate the room that faces Edmund's room, what do Edmund and Dupin find?
(a) A trail of blood.
(b) A large sum of money.
(c) A written message from Edmund's sister.
(d) A button from Edmund's sister's shoe.

12. What does Edmund read in Dupin's notebook at the tavern?
(a) Dupin's true identity.
(b) A message to Mrs. Whitman.
(c) A message to Edmund.
(d) A story based on Edmund's situation.

13. What does Dupin learn is the cause of Edmund's aunt's death?
(a) An accident.
(b) Undetermined.
(c) A murder.
(d) A suicide.

14. What type of man does Edmund meet on his way home in the prologue?
(a) Youthful.
(b) Elderly.
(c) A detective.
(d) Frightening.

15. Why didn't Edmund want to leave his sister alone?
(a) The neighborhood is unsafe.
(b) Someone threatens to kidnap her.
(c) She is ill.
(d) She is too young.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are the children alone at the beginning of the story?

2. When Dupin goes to the courthouse, what do Thock and Fortnoy testify about?

3. What does the piece of paper that is slipped under the door of Edmund's room tell Dupin?

4. How are the children feeling when the novel begins?

5. Who is Auguste Dupin?

(see the answer keys)

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