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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. Where does John hang out when he is in Long Island?

2. In what time of year does the book open?

3. What is the name of Dr. Zollner's secretary?

4. What is the name of the ferry captain that knew the Gordons?

5. What lingering memory from a crime scene does John have the most difficulty forgetting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the appearance of Donna Alba.

2. Describe the appearance of Dr. Zollner.

3. Describe the Gordons' house.

4. Why does John decide to meet Detective Penrose to talk with the man from the Department of Agriculture?

5. When John sees the pig dying of African swine fever in Chapter 12, what does it remind him of?

6. Describe the Olde Towne Taverne.

7. What is Dr. Zollner's theory concerning the Gordons' deaths in Chapter 11?

8. Why does Max want to bring John on as a consultant in the Gordon case?

9. When Elizabeth tries to ask John about what he knows about the case in Chapter 5, what does he ask her about instead?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout Plum Island, DeMille uses imagery as a metaphor for the plot and character development. Give three specific examples of these metaphors and how they relate specific actions in the plot and/or character development. Discuss why or why not they are effective as literary tools augmenting the general action.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, John and Beth's relationship changes dramatically several times. Using textual examples, describe how the shifts in their relationship resonate with the themes of love, lust, judgment, and redemption.

Essay Topic 3

In Plum Island, in many ways regarding their personality and method of doing things, Beth serves as the character foil to John Coery. Use specific examples from the book to illustrate how their characterizations are in antithesis to each other and how these characterizations are strengthened when shown in contrast with each other.

(see the answer keys)

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