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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 Rusty's profession?

2. What did Carolyn tell Rusty when he could sense her lust for him while working late one night?

3. Which of the following is NOT among the evidence used to try Rusty for Carolyn's murder?

4. What does the acronym, "LNU" stand for?

5. What does Rusty notice about Carolyn while they wait for the verdict?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sandy think about Nico Della Guardia's decision to not add a charge of obstruction of justice against Rusty?

2. What crime scene evidence is revealed in Chapter 2?

3. How is Carolyn able to connect with little Wendell McGaffen when preparing for the abuse case?

4. How is the B file introduced into the novel?

5. What is the most questionable piece of evidence that is mentioned--at least in Rusty's eyes?

6. What is the premise of "Presumed Innocent"?

7. Why did Carolyn most likely want Rusty to run for District Attorney instead of Horgan?

8. Describe Rusty's first encounter with Marty Polhemus at the university.

9. What is the importance to the plot of Rusty's visits with his psychiatrist?

10. How has the author's development of the characters up to this point affect the reader's perception as the murder trial begins?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 2

Turow uses more than one instance of irony in the story. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

PRESUMED INNOCENT is a modern-day mystery story. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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