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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 topic does Poirot discuss with Hardman?

2. What topic does Miss Debenham find impertinent?

3. To whom does Poirot refer as a "highly suspicious character?"

4. Most of the passengers seem to be related to what crime?

5. What is Miss Debenham's first name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Foscarelli's position with the Armstrong family?

2. Why does Bouc have suspicions about Foscarelli?

3. What is the true identity of Miss Debenham?

4. How does the Princess try to explain the monogram on the handkerchief.

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

6. What point does MacQueen reiterate when Poirot approaches him to conduct a search?

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

8. Which of Poirot's questions trips up Miss Debenham?

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

10. What other thing did the Princess lie about to Poirot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The murderers were counting on the case running smoothly because of the involvement of the regular police. The murderers became alarmed when they recognized Poirot. What was the difference between the police solving the crime and the case being solved by Poirot? Would the mysterious conductor have been more effective? What about the red kimono and false clues?

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

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 469 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample