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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 did the woman think she saw that caused her to be so frightened?

2. Where did the man work? What was his position?

3. Karma played a hand when the murderers died at the end of the story. How did they die?

4. Who sent the person to break into the cheap flat late at night?

5. The story of the Western Star most likely originated in which country?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Even though special precautions were taken, the bonds were stolen. What happened to the bonds?

3. What happens when Hastings and Havering reach Hunter's Lodge? What story is told to Hastings?

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

5. Captain Hastings meets up with Poirot to find out that the detective is going on a case. What is the case?

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

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

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

9. Who is the character that approaches Poirot and Hastings in the beginning of the story? How is the woman described?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "The Case of the Missing Will" Poirot must help Miss Marsh find a will that had been hidden by her uncle. If the will was not found, all of the uncle's money would go to charity rather than to Miss Marsh. There is a legal clause which makes this execution possible. Examine the process of making a will. What is the clause in the original will that would cause all of the money and property to go to charity if the new will was not found? What are Miss Marsh's legal rights in regards to both wills? What does it mean to contest a will? Who is in charge of drafting the will? Who were the witnesses? What leads Poirot to find the new will?

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

Poirot likes the idea of traveling but dislikes the actual traveling due to a delicate constitution. What does it mean to have a delicate constitution? What happens to Poirot when he travels? To what locations does Poirot often travel? Are the trips for business, pleasure or both? Who often travels with Poirot? What kinds of things might happen to Poirot while away from home? Is the problem psychosomatic or is it real? What are the symptoms? How could the symptoms be treated? Can this problem be prevented or cured? How might this problem be solved using modern medicine or methods?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 909 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample