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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. Where does Poirot board the train?

2. Which of these was not one of the clues at the crime scene?

3. Who is the murder victim?

4. What is the Count's native country?

5. Where does the train stop in the night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What unusual item was worn by the lady in the corridor?

2. What is Ratchett's reaction when he realizes that Poirot is now his neighbor?

3. What was Poirot's reply when MacQueen questioned his identification?

4. What was the cause of death for Ratchett?

5. Why was Ratchett's response considered to be strange?

6. What is mysterious about the berth in which Ratchett is murdered?

7. What was unusual about the Count's passport?

8. How did MacQueen become Ratchett's secretary?

9. Why did the Poirot blow powder on to Ratchett's window?

10. Why is M. Bouc concerned about Poirot's line of questioning with accounting Countess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Miss Debenham made a foolish mistake when choosing her false identities. What was her previous identity? How did Poirot known that the names were false? To what did Poirot link Miss Debenham's identities?

Essay Topic 2

The snowstorm had a big impact on the murderers' plans. Explain how the storm changed the path of the crime as well as the ensuing investigation. Explore how the crime might have taken place if the train had not been stranded. Would you have insisted on going ahead with the plan even though there was a bigger danger of being caught? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

One of the most telling clues in the case was that Ratchett was stabbed 12 times. Do you think the number was a metaphor for the number of people on a jury? Who do you think delivered the fatal blow(s)? Would the number of murderers been evident if all wounds were inflicted at the same height or using the same hand (right or left)?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 436 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample