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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 is Prendergast's sentence for killing Harrison?

2. Where does Holmes state that Howard is?

3. When is Prendergast told to arrive back at Harrison's house?

4. For what is the Ferris wheel eventually used?

5. Why did Burnham ignore most of Olmsted's advice?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does McKim write in his letter in the Departures chapter?

2. What happens to Millet in the Aboard the Olympic chapter?

3. What happens to the Ferris Wheel during the windstorm?

4. What eventually happens to Burnham and his wife?

5. How does Holmes seduce Georgianna?

6. What do the police find in Holmes' hotel?

7. What tragedy occurs in the Rising Wave chapter?

8. What eventually happens to the Ferris wheel?

9. What does Geyer find out about the children in Indianapolis?

10. Describe Prendergast's visit to the City Hall.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the Chicago weather.

1) For what kind of weather is Chicago famous? What role does the weather play in the book?

2) Why did such experienced architects not take into account the effects of the snow? How are today's buildings in Chicago built specifically to handle the Chicago weather?

Essay Topic 2

What position does Dr. Holmes hold in American popular culture? How was he able to go undetected for so long? Does the author present him as someone with a motive or does he portray him as completely evil?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the novel's characterization. How well drawn do you think Larson's characters are? Select one of the minor characters such as Mrs. Lawrence and discuss how much you know about her background. How does Larson provide the reader with information about that character?

(see the answer keys)

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