View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word is best used to describe Nick?

2. Who is the unknown person that may be involved in the murder?

3. Poirot is puzzled because there was no _____.

4. What adjective would best suit Lazarus?

5. What is the name of the woman's family home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the relationships between the people Poirot saw lunching with Nick.

2. Discuss the meeting between Poirot and Charles Vyse.

3. Explain Poirot's initial thoughts about the people residing at End House.

4. How did Nick come by her unusual moniker?

5. Under what circumstances does Poirot meet Nick?

6. Discuss Nick Buckley, the woman Poirot meets in the beginning of the story.

7. Discuss the fireworks display and setting.

8. What confession does Freddie make to Poirot?

9. Briefly describe Nick's family history.

10. What about the conversation with Ellen strikes Poirot as being odd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Given Poirot's initial encounter with Nick Buckley, do you think that the meeting is an accident or do you think it was somehow planned by Buckley? What is Poirot's initial reaction to Buckley? Are Poirot's initial impressions of the girl correct? What begins to change Poirot's mind about Buckley? How does Hastings react toward Buckley during that first meeting?

Essay Topic 2

Agatha Christie is known as the grand dame of the British mystery world. Read a biography on Agatha Christie. Learn about her life, career as a writer, etc. Create a character description as if Christie was one of her own characters. How might Christie portray herself in a novel? Would she be a detective, villain or victim? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

There are various metaphors used throughout the book. Explain the metaphors and their purpose for the following items: shawl, painting, hat, secret panel, false identity, drugs.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 834 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample