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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. Whose body was found in the basement of the brownstone?

2. How many people are in Linnaeus Hall for the presentation of the evidence gleaned from the Bitterman autopsy?

3. What is the name for the crime reporter for the Times?

4. What is D'Agosta's theory about the murders in Chapter 20?

5. What nickname does Pendergast give his tunnel alter-ego?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the basic precept of Frock's theory of fractal evolution? How would it apply to the events taking place in the story?

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

4. Why is there so much excitement surrounding the second skeleton found in the polluted Cloaca?

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

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

7. Why are the homeless referred to as "moles"?

8. What is the history of Mbwun, and why is it assumed that these killings might relate to the events surrounding this creature?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mrs. Wisher is distraught at the brutal murder of her daughter. She feels frustrated by the lack of information coming out of One Police Center, feeling that she should give the benefit of the doubt with the details of her daughter's death. What steps does Mrs. Wisher take to counteract this feeling of helplessness, and how do her actions affect the storyline ?

Essay Topic 2

The end of the book is not truly an end. Though the reader gives some hint of resolution, there are still open questions. Why do you think the author did this?

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