View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do Mary and Colin whisper to each other as they make love?
(a) Hateful, cruel criticisms
(b) Bizarre, somewhat violent sexual fantasies
(c) Their intentions for the future
(d) Sweet declarations of their love

2. Why does Robert meet with his bar manager after he and Colin enter the bar?
(a) He must sign some papers that the manager has.
(b) He wants to appear important and professional in front of Colin.
(c) He wants to ensure the bar manager is performing his duties.
(d) He plans to fire the manager.

3. What causes Robert and Caroline's intimate relationship to become violent?
(a) Caroline's infidelity
(b) Caroline asks Robert to hurt her.
(c) Robert's father insists he beat Caroline during sex.
(d) Robert's frustration at not being able to conceive children.

4. Where does Mary go one morning when she awakens before Colin?
(a) To get him breakfast
(b) Back to England
(c) To Robert and Caroline's apartment
(d) To the hotel's pontoon cafe

5. What do Mary and Colin hear as they depart the boat dock?
(a) Caroline's voice
(b) The sound of the boat leaving the dock
(c) The sounds of water birds
(d) Robert's voice

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Mary react when Colin changes position while standing on the balcony?

2. What does Caroline find "sweet" about Colin?

3. Why does Mary leave the morgue?

4. What does Caroline find unusual about Mary's place of employment?

5. Which of the following is NOT a "willfully clumsy" detail of Colin's murder (according to the policeman)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Mary respond much to Caroline's stories? What is likely the source of her silence?

2. Why do Mary and Colin leave late for the beach? What is the motivation behind their change of plans?

3. Describe the scene between Robert and Mary at the bookcase.

4. What does Mary find in Robert and Caroline's bedroom? What is the source of this?

5. How does Colin's experience with Robert at the bar compare to Mary's experience with Caroline in the apartment?

6. Describe the interactions between Mary and Colin while they ride the river taxi. How are these different than their earlier encounters?

7. Why does Robert hold Colin's hand as they walk to the bar? What does he tell people about their relationship?

8. What does Colin say in response to Robert's monologue on gender relations? How does Robert respond to Colin's comment?

9. What is Mary's fantasy of "subjection and humiliation" for Colin? What is Colin's fantasy for Mary?

10. Describe the scene when Mary awakens with a shout in the middle of the night.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 976 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample