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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. Why does Corwi doubt Naustin's theory?

2. Which group of people do Borlú and Dhatt interrogate?

3. According to Cerush, who is the happiest regarding the Oversight Committee's decision?

4. Who owns the van that transported the victim?

5. What effect did Bowden's ideas have on his career?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Cleavage and what is known about it?

2. What is Copula Hall? What is its function?

3. What does the informant tell Borlú about the victim?

4. Why does Gadlem tell Borlú about complicating the case?

5. Who is Syedr and what does he believe about Breach?

6. According to the True Citizens, why was Geary murdered?

7. Who is David Bowden?

8. What is the DöplirCaffé and what is notable about it?

9. Briefly describe the act of breach.

10. In the hours immediately following the discovery of the murder, what do the detectives believe about the victim?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role Orciny plays in the novel. What is it, and how does it impact the novel’s characters, conflicts, and themes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the resolution to the mystery of the murder of Mahalia Geary. Is the resolution a satisfying one? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Borlú finds himself involved in several conflicts over the course of the novel. Choose one instance of internal conflict and one instance of external conflict, and explain how these conflicts have an impact on the story, on Borlú himself, and on the other characters.

(see the answer keys)

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