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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 plans do the three officials make?

2. Which object in the illustration can't Black and Master Osman determine who made it?

3. Who does Black have to work with to solve the murder?

4. Why does the murderer go to the dervish lodge?

5. What does Olive show Black and Stork to try and gain their favor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Head Treasurer apologize for?

2. What does Hasan threaten and what happens while they are arguing?

3. What does Esther tell Black?

4. What specifically about the portrait the king requested is life like and how is it told that it is life like?

5. What two ways does Stork use to draw his horse?

6. What do Black and the other artists do to the murderer?

7. Where does Black take Shekure, Hayriye and Esther?

8. What stories does Master Osman tell and what is his purpose in looking at the books?

9. What do Black, Master Osman and the dwarf do while they are locked in the Inner Treasury?

10. What does Black tell the clerk at the Head Treasurer's chamber and what does he think might happen if it doesn't go well?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the theme of idolatry weaved throughout the novel? Which character seems to be most involved in this theme? Why do you think this is the case?

Essay Topic 2

How are the themes throughout the novel used to provide clues to the answer to the mystery? In what ways do the themes of signature and the purpose of art help the reader to solve the murder?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel there is a continuous conflict between art as a representation of meaning and art for its own sake. Which side of this conflict do your beliefs fall that art should be? Why do you feel this way? Where do you think Black stands on this issue?

(see the answer keys)

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