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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. Which passenger does Poirot suspect of traveling under an alias?

2. What is the profession of Hildegarde Schmidt?

3. What accusation does Poirot present to Miss Debenham?

4. Who else does Poirot suspect of being employed at the Armstrong's house?

5. Why couldn't the unknown conductor be one of the people Poirot had met?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. How does Dr. Constantine describe Miss Debenham?

8. What caused the murderers' original plan to go awry?

9. What item convinces Bouc and Constantine that Poirot is on the right track?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Two puzzling clues were the unknown conductor and the woman in the scarlet kimono. What was the purpose of these ruses? Would the use of these non-existent people have fooled the police? Who do you think posed as these people? Was it one or more persons? How did Poirot know where to find the discarded items of clothing?

Essay Topic 2

Dr. Constantine had a low opinion of Foscarelli. The doctor thought that Foscarelli could easily be responsible for the murder due to his nationality. What were Dr. Constantine's reasons for making such a statement? Do you think that the reputation of the Italians is justified? Is the prejudice still practiced today?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 512 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample