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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 did Myron live with before moving in with Jessica?

2. Who are Brenda and Myron's mother discussing in the kitchen?

3. Who interrupts Myron when he is speaking to Wickner?

4. Why does the coach want Myron to play basketball?

5. What kind of order did Brenda have against her father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What new information does Brenda give Myron in this section?

2. What does Win tell Myron about F.J. on the way to Brenda's practice?

3. What does Jessica tell Myron on the phone?

4. What information does Brenda have about her father's kidnapping?

5. Why do the police think Brenda killed her father?

6. What new information does Zuckerman give Myron in Chapter 8?

7. What does Mabel tell Myron about her son Terrance?

8. What new information does Mabel give Myron about Brenda's mother?

9. What happens in the novel's prologue?

10. What does Myron find out about the Bradfords in the library?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

1. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2. Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 2

How does Wickner's death guilt affect his life? Why does he decide suicide is his only option? What would have happened to him if he had exposed the Bradford family earlier?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the criminal mind.

1) In what ways is Anita the perfect example of a criminal mind?

2) How much research do you think was needed to make Mabel a realistic criminal?

3) How does Coben develop Mabel's character to make her realistic as a murderer and psychopath?

(see the answer keys)

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