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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 the name of the hotel where Poirot and his companion meet the husband?

2. What type of transportation was the character using while traveling?

3. Which character had a duplicate key all along but pretended to be sick?

4. What kind of documents were stolen?

5. What appears on Mrs. Maltraverse's hand after the person came into the room?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event traumatizes Mrs. Maltraverse? What happens shortly after the event takes place?

2. Who finds out about the cheap flat? Who supplies the information? Who is it rented to? Where is it located?

3. What is the murder weapon? Where was it recovered by the police?

4. What is the first step in investigating the case for Poirot and Hastings?

5. What is the purpose of the visit to Poirot?

6. Who is the woman seen on the street by Poirot and his companion? Why is she known to Poirot?

7. Why is Poirot sent to investigate the rental of an unusually cheap flat?

8. Why is the new tenant anxious about moving into the cheap flat?

9. What about the doctor's statement struck Poirot as being odd? Who may have influenced the autopsy?

10. How were the bonds secured to prevent theft? What special precaution was taken?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Agatha Christie is fond of creating alter egos and false identities for her characters. From a writer's point of view, what would be the purpose of this technique? Is it possible for the reader to unravel the mystery using the clues given by Christie and Poirot? Explain. Create a detailed alter ego for yourself as it might appear in one of Christie's mysteries.

Essay Topic 2

Symbolism is an important part of a mystery, often giving clues to the reader and the story's detective. What are the ways in which Christie uses symbolism in her stories? Give examples of blatant symbolism, such as the key in "The Case of the Missing Will" and more subtle symbolism. Compare and contrast the symbolism used in the Hercule Poirot mysteries and the mysteries in which Miss Marple is the sleuth.

Essay Topic 3

Miss Mary Marvell approaches Poirot with an unusual problem, claiming that there is a curse of sorts on her prized diamond. What is the name of the diamond and its companion piece? Discuss the so-called curse on the diamond. What is unusual about the diamond to begin with? To whom did the diamonds originally belong? What is supposed to be done with the diamonds in order to remove the curse? What is Poirot supposed to accomplish by investigating the case? How does Poirot solve the case?

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