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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. Which of the following words best describes the attitude of the person met by Marco?

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

3. The letter asks for money as well as a device that can be used for which of the following?

4. Where does the journalist's contact work?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What items does Neal purchase for his father? How will Neal get the package to Backman without being found out by the operatives?

2. At this point in the story what is Backman's biggest obstacle to going out on his own?

3. Discuss Backman's transactions at the bank. What is Backman's plan?

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

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

6. What happens to Backman at the bus station? How does Backman manage to get away?

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

8. What are the issues between Francesca and Giovanni? What is the current state of the relationship?

9. Describe the scene in which Backman is approached by two FBI agents.

10. Discuss the scene at Francesca's apartment. Who is there? Who is noticeably absent from the scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Backman decides the right thing to do is to turn JAM over to the Pentagon. Discuss Backman's decision. Why did Backman make the choice? Was it the right choice? Was Backman concerned about national security or did he have a bout with his conscience? Does Backman get paid for the program? Does Backman turn everything over or does he hold something back? Explain. What do you think the Pentagon intends to do with JAM? Do you think Backman is safe now? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

John Grisham uses a great deal of technical information regarding JAM, Neptune, and other intricate matters. Grisham states, however, that he has little to know knowledge of these things or satellites, smartphones, etc. How do you think Grisham got the information he needed to write the book? Were there any glaring technical errors in the book? Why not write about familiar subjects? Why is law Grisham's forte? What type of experts might have been used to help with research or the editing phase of the project? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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