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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 Jean's middle name?

2. What two authors does Miriam say Kenneth reads in his spare time?

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

4. What grows against the black timbers of Gabrielle's house?

5. What subject does Olivia's mother teach?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Jimmy and his sibling do at Island Gardens Station?

2. What was Kenneth's involvement with Gabriella Patton?

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

4. What does Miriam know about the night of Kenneth's death?

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

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

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

8. What problems is Lynley having in this section?

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

10. Why does Olivia say that on the outside her mother had an admirable social conscience?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what does Olivia's relationship with Chris parallel her mother's relationship with Kenneth? What does this parallel say about the relationship between mother and daughter?

Essay Topic 2

Why are Havers' differences and similarities as people? How do their differences and similarities help form an effective partnership?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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