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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Dupin goes to the courthouse, what do Thock and Fortnoy testify about?
(a) Witnessing the bank robbery.
(b) Abducting Edmund's sister.
(c) Killing Edmund's mother.
(d) Finding Aunt Pru's body.

2. 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) Remain unmarried.
(b) Get a divorce.
(c) Marry Mr. Arnold.
(d) Marry Mr. Poe.

3. How does Dupin determine that Edmund's sister must have gotten out of the room she shares with Edmund?
(a) Through the window.
(b) Through the chimney.
(c) Through the front door.
(d) Through a trap door in the floor.

4. At the bank, who is the author of the urgent message Mr. Poley hands Peterson?
(a) Fortnoy.
(b) Mr. Arnold.
(c) Mr. Rachett.
(d) Throck.

5. Who is Fortnoy?
(a) A sailor.
(b) A night watchman.
(c) A ship's captain.
(d) A police officer.

Short Answer Questions

1. As he prepares to meet Mrs. Whitman, who does Dupin tell Edmund he believes Edmund's aunt's murderer is?

2. In the prologue, where is the children's mother?

3. The prologue is engaging because it sets up a crime in which _____.

4. The book's prologue is particularly engaging for its target audience of _____.

5. As Dupin leaves the bank, what work by Poe does Peterson tell Dupin that he likes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Dupin is so obsessed with death?

2. Why do you think the author chose not to reveal Sis's true name?

3. How does the setting reflect Edmund's emotional state?

4. Why do you think Edmund continues to trust Dupin, even after reading in Dupin's notebook in Chapter Nine that Dupin thinks his story should end with Sis' death?

5. When Edmund sees Dupin asleep, surrounded by empty liquor bottles, in Chapter Three, what conflict does it bring about it Edmund's thinking?

6. Do you think the story would be as effective if it were set in a different time period?

7. Why do you think Poe chooses to go by the name of his fictional detective?

8. How does the locked-room mystery engage the reader?

9. Do you think Edmund should have stopped to help the old man before returning home?

10. What is the significance of the fact that both Edmund and Dupin have an important person in their lives whom they call Sis?

(see the answer keys)

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