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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 is the card from?

2. What is the name of Dickie's girlfriend?

3. What is Bob's job?

4. Where does Tom meet Dickie on the fourth morning?

5. What king of lighter does Tom have?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Carlo want two people to ride to Paris in a coffin?

2. Why does Tom feel proud of the work he has done for Mr. Greenleaf?

3. What brings tears to Tom's eyes?

4. Who does Tom think is the man following him?

5. How does Dickie insult Tom in Chapter 12?

6. What does Tom think is an average day for Dickie and Marge?

7. Why is Tom frightened of water?

8. Why does Tom like the relationship he has with Cleo?

9. How does Tom kill Dickie?

10. Who does Tom meet in Rome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Highsmith's life. In what way do you think her life and personality are reflected in the book? In what ways is she like or unlike Tom Ripley?

Essay Topic 2

Examine violence in the novel.

1) How do the characters in the novel view violence? Are there are character that would think twice before shooting or hitting someone?

2) Do the characters need to be violent to cope in the world that Highsmith portrays?

3) How do the students think the public reacted to the novel's violence when it was first published? How would the public react to such a book today?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Highsmith's dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

(see the answer keys)

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