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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 didn't the other patrons leave the bar when Porter and Harry started to fight?

2. Why do Harry and Rickard threaten to arrest a kid they meet on the street?

3. What does Harry realize about Rickard as they process the arrest of the young drug dealer?

4. What does Harry do to surprise Teresa at his house?

5. Harry's Lieutenant is called "Pounds." While speaking to Harry, he chokes on an aspirin. Why?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry learn in Chapter 12 about why Porter did not come clean with what he knew about Juan Doe?

2. Why does Harry seem so drawn to the teenager he and Rickard arrested when he goes and talks to him after he returns to visit him in jail?

3. Why does Harry begin to think that Moore was a bad cop?

4. Give at least two reasons that foreshadow the fact that Harry will go to Mexico.

5. What does Harry learn about the way sterilized fruit flies are shipped to the United States from Mexico?

6. What does Harry learn from the crime scene technician in Chapter 8?

7. What does Harry's boss tell him at the beginning of Chapter 5, and what is Harry's response?

8. What probably happened to Porter after Harry lost him in the coffee shop?

9. Why does Harry begin to dislike Rickard after they bust the teenager for possession?

10. Why do the police believe Moore killed himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A major psychological theme of this book is family, particularly as it has to do with the characterization of Cal Moore. Offer examples of Connolly's theme of family, and explain how it contributes to the plot and conflict structure of this book. Your essay should feature strong argumentative evidence.

Essay Topic 2

Point of view technique mediates the flow of information between author and reader. Write an essay that analyzes the point of view of this novel. Offer detailed descriptions of how the narrative voice actually tells the story. Finally, critique the point of view by offering your analytical opinion about how it enhanced (or did not enhance) the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Narration and dialogue are the two ways Michael Connelly tells this story. Write and essay in which you:

1) Describe the narrative style of this book,

2) Describe Connolly's approach to dialogue, and

3) Pick whether you think more information in this book is conveyed to the reader in the narration or in the dialogue.

Note that there is no correct answer to 3: it is necessary to pick a side and offer persuasive textual argumentation.

(see the answer keys)

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