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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. Where is Koko when Qwilleran finds him?

2. What seems to have killed Andrew Glanz?

3. What does Iris tell Qwilleran about the ghost, Mathilda?

4. What indicates that the police think Andy's death was just an accident?

5. How is Iris helpful to Qwilleran at the auction?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author use conversation at the auction to introduce the main complications of the plot?

2. In what way is Mary Duxbury (aka Mary Duckworth) a typical femme fatale in the novel?

3. Discuss the common theme of a series of novels that includes "The Cat Who Turned On and Off".

4. What is Riker's advice to Qwilleran after he tells the editor about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Andy's death?

5. How does Qwilleran learn more about Mary Duckworth?

6. What is Mary Duckworth's confession to Qwilleran?

7. After feeding the cats, what disappoints Qwilleran?

8. Explain the development arising from the urgent barking of Mary's dog.

9. How is the cab driver's conversation with Qwilleran on the way to Junktown a foreshadowing of the novel?

10. What questions are raised in the mind of the reader when the Mackintosh Coat of Arms is introduced?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on "Double Standards of Morality". Using Glanz as an example, discuss his double standards from an apparent high moral ground to clandestine sexual affairs, concealing ill-gotten money, and passing moral judgments on others.

Essay Topic 2

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on "Murder Mysteries Set Before the 21st Century". You may want to use example of writers beside Braun (e.g., Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Ellery Queen, etc.) to discuss how clues and reasoning provide the solutions to the mysteries as opposed to DNA samples and other modern day crime solving techniques.

Essay Topic 3

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on "How I Would Write a Murder Mystery". This is strictly an opinion piece in which you define how you would set up the murder, complicate the plot, and resolve the situation.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 783 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample