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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. When Ben buys drinks for everyone, what does Qwilleran observe about Ben's money?

2. What does Qwilleran learn about the Chandelier in Andy's shop?

3. Where was the "hot" manuscript hidden?

4. After leaving the police station, who is the person he leaves Iris with?

5. Who tells Qwilleran that Iris Cobb's assumed ghost was really C. C. playing tricks on his wife?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Mary seem much happier when Qwilleran sees her after C. C.'s murder?

4. After Mary leaves, what does Qwilleran do to show that he is a genuine cat lover?

5. What arrangement does Qwilleran make with Mary?

6. What information does Mrs. McGuffey give Qwilleran that might possibly prove to be a motive for Andy's murder?

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

8. What other mystery does Koko uncover at the end of the novel?

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

10. What information does Mrs. McGuffey give Qwilleran about the Cobb house?

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 "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 2

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on "Why I Thought [another character] Was the Murderer". Braun cleverly intersperses enough red herrings that almost any of the characters might have been the murderer. Pick out one other than Ben Nicolas and detail the mystery around that character that pointed to his or her possible guilt.

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.

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This section contains 709 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample