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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 Graham see Jamie do during the trial that the jury could look at unfavorably?

2. Who does Cam close the door on in his dream?

3. Where did Maggie meet her best friend?

4. What do Geraniums mean?

5. What does Jamie tell Allie she should do about Cam?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Cam gets a call about a robbery in progress on Thanksgiving?

2. How does the coroner almost ruin the prosecution's case against Jamie?

3. Why does Graham ask Allie to help him with Jamie's case?

4. What does Maggie's best friend say on the stand when the prosecutor asks her if she is angry with Jamie for killing Maggie?

5. What did Jamie and Maggie do on their last night together?

6. What does Ellen do to try to get Allie to forgive Cam?

7. Why does Jamie think he hasn't seen or felt Maggie since her death?

8. What does Cam say and do while he is on the witness stand?

9. What does Cam do when the private detective locates Mia for him?

10. What several things happen the Monday morning after Cam and Mia's trip to New Hampshire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following quotes used at the beginning of the novel to discuss the plot and themes of Mercy as they are illuminated through the quote:

1. "Who will not mercy unto others show,/How can he mercy ever hope to have?" -Edmund Spenser, The Fairie Queene

2. "A man gazing on the stars is proverbially/at the mercy of the puddles on the road." -Alexander Smith, Men of Letters

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how dreams are used throughout the novel to give insight into characters and illuminate themes.

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