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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. Which character had a crush on Smithback?

2. What kind of biologist is Margo?

3. How are Pendergast and D'Agosta dressed in Chapter 23, as they make their way toward the tunnels?

4. What is the working theory about the second skeleton found in the waterway?

5. What is the name of the curator for the New York Museum of Natural History?

Short Essay Questions

1. How might Margo's expertise in ethnopharmacology be an example of foreshadowing?

2. What do you think is the importance of the New York Museum of Natural History to the storyline?

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

4. Who is the homeless man who invades D'Agosta's office, and what is his reason for being there?

5. Why do you think the author mentions his previous book, "Relic"?

6. Why do you think people of so many disciplines are called in to examine the two skeletons found in the river?

7. To what does Dr. Frock attribute the Mbwun's existence and its unlikely appearance in New York?

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

9. Brambell and Frock are men of extraordinary intelligence. Why do you think their personalities clash?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Review the symbolism involved in the hut of skulls. What does this represent to the Wrinklers? What does it represent to outsiders? What does it represent to the shaman? How does the hut play into the Wrinklers' ceremony? Cite examples from the text to support your explanation.

Essay Topic 2

Hayward is an interesting character, a woman of strength, confidence and utter self-assurance. Margo is strong, but in different ways with different approaches to problem solving. Compare/contrast Margo and Hayward, particularly their strengths and weaknesses. What does each character contribute to the storyline?

Essay Topic 3

Margo, Pendergast, and D'Agosta discovered the Mbwun lily growing in the Reservoir. Their fear is suddenly magnified by this discovery. What causes their fear? What do they believe will happen, and how do they think this event will come to fruition?

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This section contains 826 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample