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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. Who most likely reported Ratchett's nightmare?

2. Where was Mrs. Hubbard's sponge bag located?

3. Hildegarde Schmidt hesitated when discussing what object?

4. With what object does Poirot confront Colonel Arbuthnot?

5. What possibly altered the murderer's plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Colonel Arbuthnot react to Poirot's inquiry about the pipe cleaner?

2. What item is found in Mrs. Hubbard's sponge bag?

3. What was Miss Debenham's reaction when Poirot asked if she was upset about Ratchett's death?

4. How does Poirot manage to get the Count and Countess alone?

5. Why did Miss Debenham lie about her former position?

6. What item does Poirot expect to find in Hildegard Schmidt's luggage?

7. How does Hildegard Schmidt determine the time of the murder?

8. What does Poirot find when he goes to his compartment to get his cigarettes?

9. Where does Poirot find the missing uniform?

10. How does the Countess act when Poirot is searching through her luggage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mrs. Hubbard lies about several items from the bloody knife in her sponge bag to the handle of the connecting compartment doors behind hidden from view. How could these mistakes have been avoided? How did Mrs. Hubbard attempt to cover up? What might you have done in the same situation?

Essay Topic 2

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? How might the case have been different if Poirot had been able to decipher the relationship between the Colonel and Miss Debenham?

Essay Topic 3

Mrs. Hubbard is one character that exhibits the most erratic behavior while Miss Debenham always seems to be cold and without emotion. Compare and contrast the personalities of the two women. Which characteristics were real and which were contrived? How were they perceived by Poirot?

(see the answer keys)

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