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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. Why does Jack Crawford tell Clarice to keep any inside information from Dr. Chilton?

2. What question does Buffalo Bill ask of the girl he abducts in Chapter 15?

3. When the roll-up door gets stuck, how does Clarice open it far enough for her to get under?

4. What is the name of Jame Gumb's poodle?

5. What does Jack Crawford tell Clarice that Dr. Lecter did prior to his imprisonment?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the circumstances surrounding Benjamin Raspail's death? What was his actual cause of death?

2. In Chapter 18, Crawford explains that he wants Clarice to talk to Dr. Lecter again. Why?

3. How does Clarice demonstrate her resourcefulness at the storage unit crime scene?

4. How does Clarice display her attention to detail while examining the victim's body in Chapter 12?

5. Though Dr. Lecter does not believe the senator's offer is genuine because Crawford would never allow Dr. Lecter to benefit, for what does Dr. Lecter agree to offer his cooperation in exchange for, and how does he begin collecting on the proposal immediately?

6. In Chapter 26, how does the staff of the hospital ensure their safety and Dr. Lecter's cooperation while they are cleaning his cell, and how does Dr. Lecter entertain himself while they do this?

7. What does Bella's impending death do to Jack Crawford? How does it affect him physically? Mentally? Is he prepared for her death?

8. What factors might have combined to make Catherine Martin vulnerable to attack?

9. What might the Black Witch Moth symbolize to Buffalo Bill?

10. Do you think that Clarice's actions at the storage space were born out of desperation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 37, the guards' carelessness results in chaos. Dr. Lecter has planned the perfect escape. Describe what occurs during the chaos following the shots heard while the courthouse is filled with officers waiting to relieve the eleven to seven shift. Exactly how does Dr. Lecter fulfill his plan?

Essay Topic 2

Barney's character is an important, though rarely used, part of the novel. Barney seems to be the only person who can keep Dr. Lecter under control. He is also the only person who seems to earn Dr. Lecter's respect. What do you think it is about Barney that affects Dr. Lecter and causes to him behave and give Barney respect? Control is not something Dr. Lecter seems to give in to often, and when he does, he still seems to be seething under the surface. What do you think this says about Barney since Dr. Lecter seems to willingly surrender control (as much as he can) in Barney's presence.

Essay Topic 3

One theme of this book is control and the loss or lack of it. Which characters seem to have control over their own situations, if any? Which characters are defined by their lack of control, and how do they work to gain control? Does control seem to be important to the FBI? The senator? Jame Gumb? Dr. Chilton? Clarice? Dr. Lecter? Jack Crawford? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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