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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. What is the name of the professor Backman meets in his new location?

2. Herzog lived on a diet of which two junk food items?

3. How many years had Backman spent in prison?

4. Whose death was mistakenly ruled a suicide?

5. To which president is the man compared?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the situation with Critz in London? Who approaches Critz with an offer?

2. It is never clear to Backman who Luigi is or who he works for in the US. Who does Luigi work for and to whom does he report?

3. Why does Backman go shopping? Why does he have to have permission from Luigi?

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

5. Discuss the meeting between Backman and Rudolph. Why does Backman trust Rudolph?

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

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

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

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

10. Explain Backman's opinion of the first day in Bologna. What does he do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Clayburn's role in the story. Who is Clayburn? Why is he affiliated with the story? Is he still an active part of the Washington scene? How does Backman know Clayburn? Are the men friends, colleagues or something else? Why does Backman want to get in touch with Clayburn? How is Pratt able to find the man? What is Clayburn's response to Pratt's request? Does Clayburn meet with Backman? What is Clayburn's affiliation with the Pentagon? Does Clayburn do as he is asked? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Write a journal from the point of view of Teddy Maynard. Begin with the plan to release Backman. Include the details of the plan, how Maynard orchestrated the deal, the desired confession, Morgan's role in the story, Javier's assistance, etc. Also include Maynard's thoughts after he was fired and what his plans are for the future.

Essay Topic 3

The US government strikes more than one deal with Backman. The first is a pardon with the hopes that Backman will confess to the whereabouts of JAM. The plan fails. The second and biggest deal involves Backman's freedom and safety in exchange for the JAM computer disks. Discuss Backman's deals with the government. Who made the deals on behalf of the government? Who gave the deal maker authorization? Why and how was the first deal flawed? What should have been done differently? Why is the government allowed to pardon Backman if he committed a federal crime? Why does the US government make the second deal? Do you think Backman is deserving of either deal? Explain. If the government made the last deal with Backman, why does Backman doubt his safety? Why does Backman think that the government will continue to track and perhaps try to kill him? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,112 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample