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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 the train stop in the night?

2. What is the name of the luxury train?

3. What is the profession of Edward Henry Masterman?

4. What causes the train to stop unexpectedly in the middle of the night?

5. Which of these things was not part of the curious crime scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Poirot's reaction to Ratchett?

2. What is Miss Debenham's initial reaction to Poirot?

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

4. What items did Poirot collect for examination?

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

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

7. Who was last person to see Ratchett alive?

8. How is Ratchett murdered?

9. How does Colonel Arbuthnot react when Poirot questions him about Miss Debenham?

10. What is Ratchett's purpose for wanting protection from Poirot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

First impressions play a large part in the story. When Miss Debenham saw Poirot she referred to the detective as "peculiar but harmless." Explain how Poirot would have assessed his first impression of Miss Debenham, Colonel Arbuthnot, and Cassetti/Ratchett.

How did Poirot happen to be on the same train as the victim? Was it by accident or was it planned? How did Poirot react when he realized that Colonel Arbuthnot and Miss Debenham were also on the train?

Essay Topic 2

Cassetti posed as Ratchett, a successful businessman, since he fled from America. Explain how it was possible for Ratchett to keep his true identity a secret for so long? Do you think MacQueen knew Ratchett's real identity when he accepted the job as secretary?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 518 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample