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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. Why does Lynley's boss threaten to take him off the case?

2. What does Olivia need to walk?

3. What does Jimmy like to make models of?

4. Who does Chris admit he was with the night Ken died?

5. What does Chris want to do instead taking up Olivia's offer of sex?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Olivia's dream about the National Front?

2. How does Jimmy react when Lynley finally gets to him?

3. How the author describe Hadiya's father?

4. In what way could it be said that Kenneth's pride was responsible for his death?

5. How does Havers meet the young girl in chapter eleven?

6. How does Lynley act during his dinner with Havers?

7. What information does Gariella give Lynley about the case?

8. What runs through Lynley's mind as he tries to get to Jimmy?

9. Why is it difficult for Lynley to believe that Jimmy is the murderer?

10. Why is it easy to believe that Jimmy could have killed his own father?

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

What are Inspector Lynley's detective methods/ How do these methods differ from other detectives in popular fiction? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his approach?

Essay Topic 3

In what way does the novel suggest that helping people can lead to the neglect of others? How could people like Miriam have achieved more of a balance in their relationships?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 943 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample