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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 purchase did the Gordon's make with the $25,000?

2. How did Max meet the Gordons?

3. Who found the Gordons' bodies?

4. What music group is John listening to at the beginning of the novel?

5. When John mentions that he is thinking of resigning in Chapter 13, how does Beth respond?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is interesting to John and Beth about the type of weapons Stevens and his security forces carry on Plum Island?

2. Who is Kenneth Gibbs and what does he look like?

3. Describe the appearance of Donna Alba.

4. What hobby had the Gordons taken up on Plum Island that involved Paul Stevens?

5. Describe the Olde Towne Taverne.

6. How does Dr. Chen explain her job to John?

7. Why does John suspect that Dr. Chen has been coached in her responses?

8. Describe John's appearance as he sits on the porch at the opening of the novel.

9. Why doesn't John answer the questions from George Foster about his relationship with the Gordons in Chapter 4?

10. Describe the appearance of Paul Stevens.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the dramatic structure of Plum Island. Use textual evidence to designate the expository, rising action, the climax, falling action and the denouement.

Essay Topic 2

One of the strongest literary tools employed by DeMille in Plum Island is the use of foreshadowing. Give examples of where DeMille has employed foreshadowing and discuss in detail how this use of foreshadowing furthered the plot, developed character, or strengthened a theme.

Essay Topic 3

In the preface, DeMille quote Benjamin Franklin, "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." Later in the novel, Beth also quotes this line. Discuss how this quote is a metaphor for the novel using specific textual evidence.

(see the answer keys)

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