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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. Who goes with Qwilleran to visit Russell Patch?

2. What does Qwilleran do for Iris Cobb during her extended absence?

3. Who does Qwilleran take on a search of his building?

4. What had C. C. hinted about Ben's financial situation?

5. Where do Qwilleran and Ben go on a late night "scrounge."?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Qwilleran finally get around to hanging the Mackintosh coat of arms, and who comes to help him do it?

2. what does Qwilleran eventually learn about how Russell Patch has the money to buy all his expensive equipment?

3. How does Qwilleran mistake the source of the things Koko brings to him?

4. While Iris is away, what does Hollis Prantz come looking for?

5. What is the evidence Qwilleran discovers outside the Ellsworth House?

6. How does Braun draw out the suspense with Qwilleran's reading of Andy's manuscript?

7. What does Yum Yum show Qwilleran and where was it?

8. What does Qwilleran find in Nicolas's apartment after he has a meal with him?

9. Who does Qwilleran suspect the drug dealer to be?

10. What is interesting about the pattern of the sole of Russell Patch's boots?

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 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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on "The Value of Mystery Novels as Escapism in Literature". Define escapism, point out how mystery stories put readers into situations they are unlikely to experience in real life, and compare mystery stories to word games and puzzles as a diversion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample