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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 is Kenneth's goal?

2. What does Jean need a repairman to repair?

3. What does Olivia say her mother is protecting herself from?

4. What has Lynley recently given up?

5. What does Olivia say she was as angry as when she reached twenty?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Olivia become a prostitute?

2. How does Miriam react to Olivia's pregnancy?

3. Who does Mrs Whitelaw think could have accessed the cottage?

4. What did Olivia soon discover about Richie after she went back with him?

5. Why doesn't Jean like to hear people talking about her son?

6. What information about her does Olivia say her mother wouldn't want people to know?

7. Why is the case surrounding Kenneth Fleming so volatile?

8. How did Olivia meet Richie?

9. What does Jean say to Derrick on the phone?

10. What problems is Lynley having in this section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is Olivia's past so important to the story? In what way does it soften how the reader feels about the murderer?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Examine Lynley's character across the whole series.

1. How does the author develop Lynley's character across the whole series?

2. What new elements does Playing for the Ashes add to Lynley's character?

(see the answer keys)

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