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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. Gordianus finds a pool of blood and a bloody hand print near_________________.

2. Gordianus discovers, upon returning to his house after a day of investigating, that_______________________.

3. Why is Gordianus called the Finder?

4. Who claims to have seen the murder?

5. When Cicero asks Gordianus the question in his library, what does Gordianus think of him then?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe your first impression of Gordianus.

2. Why would the shopkeeper and his wife lie about witnessing the attack of Roscius?

3. Cicero and Sextus Roscius (pater) lived very different lifestyles. Compare and contrast their lifestyles.

4. Why does Bethesda bite Gordianus when he comes into her room?

5. How would you describe Caecilia Metella?

6. If traveling to Ameria alone is so dangerous, why doesn't Gordianus take a companion or a guard?

7. Why does Gordianus mention the fog at the end of Chapter 15?

8. Why does Polia think she is protecting Eco by lying about him witnessing the attack?

9. Why does Gordianus loan Bethesda to the household of the stable master?

10. Explain why Caecilia would house Sextus Roscius (filius) in an unsavory part of her house, near the stinking indoor toilets.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Gordianus grow and become a better person through the course of the book? Back up your answer with evidence from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the novel, Cicero tells Gordianus, "Crime is common. Honor is rare." Discuss that comment.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the two speeches in the section called Justice--one delivered by Gaius Eruscius and the other by Cicero.

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This section contains 580 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample