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. While Cam is fishing with Allie, what can't he stop thinking about?

2. What does Mia reveal to Allie that she has done since reaching adulthood?

3. What does Mia not tell Allie about when they are getting to know each other?

4. What is the name of Mia's cat?

5. Why does Angus think Cam made a mistake in charging Jamie with murder?

Short Essay Questions

1. What proves to Allie that is was a good decision to hire Mia to work in her shop?

2. What reaction does Cam have to Mia the first time he sees her in Allie's shop?

3. Why does Cam have more influence in Wheelock than a typical police chief?

4. What in particular concerns Allie about her relationship with Cam?

5. Why does Graham's excitement about Jamie's case diminish after he talks to Jamie?

6. What is Jamie's occupation and how did it involve Maggie?

7. Why did Jamie come to Wheelock to kill Maggie?

8. What does Mia contemplate doing as she looks through Cam and Allie's medicine cabinet?

9. What does Jamie remember about the night Maggie asked him to kill her?

10. Why is euthanasia not a good defense for Jamie's trial?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Picoult begin the novel with these lines from a William Carlos Williams poem: "What power has love but forgiveness?/ In other words/ by its intervention/ what has been done/ can be undone./ What good is it otherwise?" What is the significance of these words to the plot and themes of Mercy? What is the difference between forgiveness and mercy?

Essay Topic 2

How does the novel explore the meaning of not only the word mercy, but love and loyalty, as well?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss what Jamie does for a living and how Picoult used his work to illuminate both characters and themes. How does his work impact what happens between Jamie and Maggie?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 748 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample