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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. Who owns Hunter's Lodge?

2. Who is the first to testify to the police regarding the murder?

3. What is the surname of Poirot's friend in "The Adventure of the Western Star?"

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

5. Where were the goods stored until they were stolen?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. At Marsdon Manor Poirot meets Captain Black, a friend of Mr. and Mrs. Maltraverse. What does Poirot learn from Captain Black in regards to Maltraverse's death?

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

4. What event causes an uproar during the dinner at Marsdon Manor? Who informs the diners of the disturbance?

5. What was the point of the empty package? Who perpetrated the hoax?

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

7. What is the crux of the case the woman wants Poirot to investigate? Who and what are involved?

8. What has the woman so upset about one of her possessions? What are the consequences if Marvell does not comply?

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

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

In "The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb," five characters die due to unusual circumstances. Investigate how each person died, the cause behind the death, and the purpose. How would one be able to tell how the person died? Compare and contrast methods used during Poirot's time to modern science in which toxicology and other forensic methods are used to determine cause of death and types of poisons used.

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 828 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample