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 is Helen doing when Lynley asks her to marry him?

2. Where does Olivia find a job?

3. Why does Chris say he should find a job as a bread maker?

4. What does Olivia say Chris should find work as?

5. Where does Miriam find Kenneth a job?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What problems is Lynley having with his boss in Chapter 21?

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

6. How did Olivia show her anger at Chris after the cat operation?

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

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

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

10. What new leads does Lynley find in Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the novel suggest happens to people that are neglected by either friends or family? What are the difference between characters in the story who have been helped by others and characters in the story who have been neglected?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the following people and their potential motive for murdering Kenneth.

1. Olivia.

2. Jean.

3. Hugh Patton.

4. Jimmy.

How does Lynley cross them off his list and use the information they give him to find the real killer?

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)

This section contains 965 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample