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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. Gana, Dance, and Arpis were all found dead during the DEA raid. Who does Harry discover killed them in Chapter 32?

2. Why does Harry think that Corvo should work with him?

3. One DEA agent dies in the raid. How is he killed?

4. DEA agent Ramos is killed in the pursuit of Zorrillo in Chapter 30. How is he killed?

5. Where does Harry go in Mexicali when he first arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the bullfighter, Silvestri, look like when he entered the arena?

2. What was the terrible thing that Cecil did to Moore as a boy?

3. How does Harry recognize Corvo at the bar in Chapter 17?

4. What does Moore look like, when Harry finds him standing in the mirror?

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

6. How was Mexicali founded?

7. Why, when people are killed accidentally at EnviroBreed, does Harry suspect they are shipped across the border illegally?

8. Why does Harry cancel his hotel room in Calexico after he talks to his colleagues in Hollywood?

9. What does Harry tell the man at the historical society and what is Harry really doing there?

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

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.

Essay Topic 2

There are only a couple of women characters in this novel. Choose either Teresa Corazon or Sylvia Moore and construct a critique of her characterization. This essay should include 1) a description of the major techniques Connolly uses to characterize her, 2) the role she plays in the plot and conflict structure of the book, 3) her relationship to Harry, the hero of the series, and 4) your opinion of the character. Be sure to use specific textual evidence to build an argument for your interpretation.

Essay Topic 3

Sometimes a particular object or character can function as both a symbol and a setting. Using explicit examples from one or both of these settings, describe how Los Angeles functions as a setting on several levels. Questions to consider are: what characterizes the description of Los Angeles in this text stylistically? What connections or associations do readers bring about Los Angeles that enhance this narrative? What role does it play thematically or in terms of genre?

(see the answer keys)

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