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

2. Who does Qwilleran tell about the mystery surrounding Glanz' death?

3. Why does Miss Duckworth try to sell the Mackintosh Coat of Arms to Qwilleran?

4. Who does Qwilleran run into at the grocery store?

5. Why is the area called Junktown?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Iris come to Qwilleran's apartment early one morning?

3. When Qwilleran sees Mary again, why is see cool and distant like she was when he first met her?

4. Discuss the drunk Qwilleran talks to in Junktown.

5. How does Patch refute the suggestion that he was fired by Andy Glanz for drinking.

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

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

8. How does Qwilleran happen to get an invitation to Mary Duckworth 's place his first night in his apartment?

9. What does Qwilleran learn about Mary after she has had a couple of glasses of scotch?

10. After feeding the cats, what disappoints Qwilleran?

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 "How to Look for Clues in a Mystery Novel". Using examples from the novel, discuss (1) how important clues such as the pot bellied stove are introduced in a trivial manner, (2) how to spot red herrings like Mary's disturbing phone calls, and (3) how to formulate theories in the same manner the detectives in the novel do.

Essay Topic 2

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on "Qwilleran As a Detective". What are his credentials as a detective? Is there a link between a police detective and a journalist? How much does Qwilleran rely on the instincts of his cats? Is that realistic?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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