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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mephisto call the territory below Central Park?
(a) The Blockhouse.
(b) All answers are correct.
(c) Ho Chi Minh trail.
(d) Route 666.

2. How many people are in Linnaeus Hall for the presentation of the evidence gleaned from the Bitterman autopsy?
(a) Fourteen.
(b) Seven.
(c) Thirty-six.
(d) One hundred and ten.

3. What piece of literature does Mephisto tell Smithback to read before they meet again?
(a) Beyond Ragoon.
(b) The Dunciad.
(c) Flowers for Algernon.
(d) A Poet's Maze.

4. What is the name of the bridge in Chapter 1?
(a) Hanging River Bridge.
(b) Breston Bay Bridge.
(c) Humboldt Rail Bridge.
(d) Striker Bridge.

5. How are Pendergast and D'Agosta dressed in Chapter 23, as they make their way toward the tunnels?
(a) As doctors.
(b) As police officers.
(c) As normal citizens.
(d) As homeless men.

Short Answer Questions

1. What odor does Smithback detect when following his informant into the small hole?

2. What has Margo begun to carry in her purse?

3. What is the translation given in the book of the phrase "Cui ci sono dei monstri"?

4. What was on the pair of athletic socks found at the site of the first homeless murder?

5. What coats the staircase down to the lower level of the tunnels?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think is the author's purpose in describing Sergeant Hayward's physical characteristics in such detail?

2. What does Pendergast reveal about Hayward? How does Hayward feel about this revelation? How does D'Agosta feel about this revelation?

3. In Chapter 8, an unknown person develops extra sensitive senses, apparently by ingesting some unknown drug. What do you think is the purpose of this character's in-depth description and failing to tell the reader who he is?

4. What are the repercussions of the $100,000 reward posted by Bill Smithback and the Post?

5. What seems to be the reason that the unknown character in Chapter 8 holds the Ceremony?

6. What is the irony in the author's naming the leader of the Route 666 group Mephisto?

7. Police work seems to involve a lot of political jostling and brown-nosing. How is that concept illustrated in Chapter 11?

8. What is Brambell's theory about what animal is responsible for the teeth marks on Pamela Wisher's bones? How does this change the direction of the investigation?

9. When Mephisto gives Smithback the nickname "scriblerian," what does he imply?

10. What kind of influence do you think a woman like Mrs. Wisher would likely have on the political climate? Does she show that she is willing to use that influence to force matters in the direction she wants them to go? What gives you that indication?

(see the answer keys)

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