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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 does Qwilleran find in Ben's apartment during a visit?

2. What was the original purpose of the space Qwilleran and Mary discover?

3. Who is Russell Patch's roommate?

4. What is The Lion's Tail?

5. Who was the only one who had read Andy's novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was C. C. supposedly looking for in the Ellsworth house?

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

3. What amusing information does Cluthra provide when Qwilleran goes to visit her?

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

5. What arrangement does Qwilleran make with Mary?

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

7. What does Riker tell Qwilleran about his writing when Qwilleran drops in at the Fluxion office?

8. What is the significance of the surprise visitor to Iris's shop while Qwilleran is taking his turn managing it?

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

10. How does Koko inadvertently solve the mystery?

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 "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 2

In two or more type written double spaced pages, write an essay on Braun's Use of Red Herrings in "The Cat Who Turned On and Off". Red herrings are stock in trade for mystery writers who put them in the plot to keep the reader guessing. Find at least three red herrings in the novel and explain how they are used to make the reader suspect different characters of actually being the murderer.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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