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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 Marco's tutor?

2. What is the approximate population of Padua?

3. How long had Maynard held the position?

4. What is a "specchio?"

5. What is the name of Critz's old buddy from the CIA?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is there tension between Backman and Ermanno? What is Backman's demand?

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

3. 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?

4. What is Joel Backman's family situation?

5. Who is Duke Mongo? Why is his pardon such a huge controversy?

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

7. What does Backman do shortly after arriving in Treviso?

8. Why is the CIA worried that Backman might attempt to contact his family? What precautions are taken in case Backman should try to get in contact with someone?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Many different agencies play a part in the story. There are several from foreign countries such as England, Israel, Iraq, and China. The American agencies include the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Justice Department, the National Security Administration (NSA), the Pentagon, the White House, and some that remain unnamed. Write a description of each agency, what it does, and why it is involved in the Backman and/or JAM situation. Also discuss which are also involved in the bribe scandal. Choose two to compare and contrast for a better understanding of their parts in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Carl Pratt is an attorney and former business partner to Joel Backman. Discuss Pratt's role in the story. What was Pratt's involvement in the JAM deal? Did Pratt know what Backman was doing and/or planned to do? What is Pratt's opinion on the entire situation? What charges were brought against Pratt at the trial? How was Pratt released? What did Backman do to protect Pratt? Did Pratt take over the business on a temporary or permanent basis? What were Pratt's thoughts when he learned that Backman was going to be released? Were Pratt's fears rational? What is Pratt's opinion on Backman? Why does Pratt agree to help Backman by contacting Clayburn and arranging the meeting? What is Pratt's position when the story ends? Do you think Pratt and Backman will ever work together again? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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