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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 is Corvo concerned that Harry spoke to the local Mexican police?

2. Harry calls his bosses from Mexicali. What does Chief Irving threaten Harry with if he does not return to L.A.?

3. What are DEA agents planning to do to Zorrillo's ranch?

4. Why does Harry go to the bar called "Code 7" in Chapter 17?

5. Why is it a problem that Harry brought Aguila with him to meet Ramos in Chapter 28?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the town of Calexico get its start?

2. What is Corvo's most notable facial feature?

3. What is the atmosphere of the bar like when Harry meets DEA agent Corvo in Chapter 17?

4. What is the clue at the beginning of Chapter 31 that Harry almost missed, and who finds it instead?

5. Whom does Harry Bosch identify in the old photographs and how?

6. What does Harry find out when he calls Hollywood, to the police, from Calexico?

7. Describe what it is like when Harry drives back across the border.

8. What is CLET and what functions does it perform?

9. As Harry is driving back into L.A., he sees a hill scorched by fire. Despite the destruction, why is he not worried?

10. In Chapter 21, Harry insists on taking the Caprice. Why is he so intent on driving that car?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Michael Connelly is a best-selling author whose books are among the most available in the United States. Using specific textual evidence, construct an analytical argument that includes at least 3 examples of why you think this book (and series) is popular. It should also include a counterargument with at least 1 example of something you think could have a negative effect on the popularity of this book for some readers.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the best and most successful mysteries are structured through withholding information. Whether it is a first person narrator who is unreliable, or characters who lie to each other or the reader, this kind of information mediation is a key technique of fiction writing. Construct a thesis that responds to Connelly's use of this technique and the way he withholds information from the reader or from his characters and write an argumentative essay.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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