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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. When does Dickie say he will fly back home for a few days?

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

3. What does Tom beat Dickie with?

4. What college did Tom first go to?

5. What does Tom hit Freddie with?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tom write in a letter from Dickie to Marge?

2. What lie does Tom tell Mr. Greenleaf?

3. How does Tom know Bob Delancey?

4. What does Marge say in her letter to Dickie, dated January 4?

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

6. How does the morning Tom sets sail start off badly for him?

7. What lie does Tom tell Dickie when they meet?

8. Who does Tom meet in Rome?

9. What excuse does Tom give Marge for Dickie's absence?

10. What does Tom understand about Dickie in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Tom hate himself? How much is this self-hatred responsible for Tom's actions so far in the book?

Essay Topic 2

The Ripley books greatly influenced modern literature and, in particular, crime books. Choose a book written after the novel that you think was influenced by it and discuss their similarities in terms of:

a) Plot

b) Character

c) Themes

Essay Topic 3

Examine Highsmith's writing style. How would you describe Highsmith's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does she use? Does she use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Highsmith's style give to the story?

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