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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. Who took Catherine's statement at the sheriff's office?

2. What color is the sheriff's car?

3. What is the name of Martin Barnes' daughter?

4. What does Tom reveal to Catherine that the sheriff's son is doing?

5. Who comes to visit Catherine at the end of Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Randall explain his feelings to Catherine? What had he done to get her to notice him? How did he feel when she did not notice him?

2. How did Catherine feel about Leona Gaites?

3. How is the relationship of Catherine and Randall advanced by the dramatic situation they find themselves in after Leona's and then Tom's death?

4. What is the manner of Leona's death? Where does she die? Where does she ultimately end up and why does the sheriff think she was moved?

5. Describe the last time that Catherine talked to Leona Gaites, as she explains it to Sheriff Galton.

6. What does Catherine decide to do after making her discovery in the tenant house? Does her emotional state deter her?

7. Why do people feel so comfortable confiding their secrets to Catherine? How does Catherine feel about the secrets of the town and being the one they are told to?

8. When does Catherine figure out who the killer is? How?

9. Describe the change in Catherine's character in Chapter 11? Does her personality seem to change at all? Who notices?

10. How do the people of Lowfield react toward Catherine after she discovers Leona's body? What does Catherine compare it to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the character of Leona Gaites. Why did it seem that people had such a low opinion of her? Was that opinion warranted? What do we find out about the character of Leona Gaites over the course of the novel? What lead to her death and what effect does her death have on the novel?

Essay Topic 2

The pace and structure of mystery novels, in most cases, are very similar. The novel has a structure that attempts to hold the reader in suspense, while the novel's pace is usually quick to promote that suspense. Are those same elements present in "Sweet and Deadly?" Describe the structure and pace of the novel using examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Writing style is an important element for an author in writing a novel and is usually unique to a specific author or genre. Discuss the writing style of the author of the writing techniques that she employs in "Sweet and Deadly." What do we learn in the novel through the style that the author employs? Why does the author choose to have Catherine be so introspective? How do we gain insight into the novel and its characters through the writing style and writing techniques employed in the novel?

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