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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. According to Luigi, which drink can be consumed at any time of the day or night without appearing inappropriate?

2. What is the name of the bar where Marco meets Rudolph?

3. What lofty position is held by Teddy Maynard?

4. How many electoral votes are at stake?

5. Where does the exchange take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the President's immediate plans after leaving office? What are the opinions of his wife and others regarding these plans?

2. What happens when Teddy Maynard learns about Critz's activities?

3. What are Maynard's proposed plans for Backman? What has been done so far?

4. Who is Teddy Maynard? Why is he an important figure in the story? What is Maynard's relationship with the President?

5. The FBI learns about a bank account in Grand Cayman that is most likely connected to Joel Backman. Discuss the discovery and the FBI's request of Teddy Maynard.

6. At this point in the story what is the general structure of Backman's average day? What things does he do daily?

7. Who is the President of the United States? What is his current status?

8. What does Backman do on his second day in Bologna? Who does he meet?

9. What is Backman's cover story? What is his new identity?

10. Discuss Backman's plan to communicate with Neal. Does the plan work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joel Backman was not the only one to suffer from the trial that sent him to prison for twenty years. Neal Backman and Carl Pratt were also charged. Pratt returned to his law firm but Neal was left without a job. Discuss Neal's downfall. What charges were brought against Neal? Was Neal prosecuted for his part in the JAM deal? Explain. What did Backman do to save his son from going to prison? What kind of reception did Neal receive from his company after the trial was over? Why was it so difficult for Neal to get a job? Where does Neal end up? What is Lisa's opinion of the whole situation? Do you think Neal has made a full recovery from the trauma surrounding his father's arrest and imprisonment? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

There is a major shift in the demeanor and personality of Joel Backman throughout the story. Before Backman's arrest, he was referred to as being the second most powerful man in Washington. Backman was extremely rich, cunning, and smug. In Backman's mind he was untouchable. Discuss how Backman's attitude changed drastically when he went to the Rudley Federal Correction Facility. What was the biggest change? What precipitated the change? Did Backman's personality change or was it simply a reaction to the circumstances? Also examine how Backman changed once again after he made the deal with the Pentagon.

Essay Topic 3

The government chooses to send Backman to Treviso as part of the deal. Why Treviso? Why Italy? What are Backman's thoughts? What are Backman's preferred locations? What must Backman do to prepare for the trip? Why does Backman have to learn to speak Italian? Wouldn't it be easier to go to an English speaking region or country? Describe in detail Backman's safe houses in Italy and how he is able to adapt to the surroundings. Also discuss Backman's struggles to learn the language and Luigi's efforts to help Backman acclimate to the new environment.

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This section contains 1,222 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample