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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. Marco asks Neal to find which of the following?

2. What item does Marco obtain from his helper?

3. What is the name of the journalist introduced in Chapter 18?

4. The journalist hears rumors about the ____ scandal and decides to investigate.

5. Who does Marco meet when he helps Francesca get back home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Susan Penn? What is her role in the story? What information does she give to the President?

2. Describe the scene on the train. What is the benefit of having the unpleasant woman in the same car?

3. What happens when Neal receives the letter from his father? What does Neal do next? What does Lisa think of the plan?

4. What is Backman's plan after he leaves Milan?

5. What happens that makes it obvious that Backman's safe house is no longer safe? What does Backman do?

6. What is Backman's most prized possession at this point? What happens to the item?

7. Discuss Backman's tour with Francesca. What does Backman see?

8. What is Backman's opinion of Francesca? What does Backman do that is against the rules?

9. Discuss the involvement of Mossad at this point in the story. Why are the Mossad dangerous?

10. What does Backman do once he arrives in the US?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One way in which Backman was violated was through the treatment in prison. Discuss Backman's prison experience? Why was Backman in solitary confinement? How long did that last? Where is the Rudley Federal Correction Facility? Who knows where Backman is imprisoned? What types of coercion does Teddy Maynard employ to try to get Backman to confess? Does it work? What is the state of Backman's physical and mental health? Is there any way to improve either? Explain. Also explain how Backman's treatment at Rudley is a clear violation of the man's civil rights.

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

From the time Backman landed in Italy he seemed to be formulating a plan to get away from Luigi, the military and other agencies. Discuss Backman's plan to go on the run. Is it a smart move to try to get away? What are Backman's obstacles? Can those obstacles be overcome? Backman is not aware of the level of surveillance he is under and would perhaps make another decision if he knew. Examine what Backman did and did not know about the surveillance, Luigi, the other American agencies, and the involvement of the foreign factions, including the Tin Man. If Backman does get away, where will he go? How will he get there? What will he use for money? Who might be willing to help Backman execute the plan? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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