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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 train does Rachel say she takes in the evenings on July 9, 2013?

2. For how long did Rachel and Tom live together?

3. Where has Damien gone to visit his mother on July 21, 2013?

4. Where does Rachel say she used to live in her email to Scott that is revealed on July 20, 2013?

5. What is Megan's last name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rachel describe her appearance in the beginning of the novel?

2. How does Megan respond to Dr. Abdic's rejection on March 21, 2013?

3. How common does Rachel describe "death by train" on Tuesday, July 9, 2013?

4. What does Rachel discover she has written to Tom in an email the prior night on July 20, 2013?

5. How does Rachel explain she knew Megan when she writes him on July 20, 2013? Why?

6. How does Rachel respond to seeing Jess kiss a man who is not her husband? Why?

7. How did Rachel come to live with Cathy? What is their relationship like?

8. Why is Cathy upset with her boyfriend on July 21, 2013?

9. On what date does Rachel's narrative begin in the opening of the novel? What is Rachel looking at outside of the train window?

10. What does Rachel reveal to Scott when she first meets him at his house on July 20, 2013?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the events surrounding Megan's death in the novel. Who kills Megan? Why? How are these events revealed? What are the repercussions of Megan's murder?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Anna in the novel. How old is Anna? For how long has she been married? How does she feel about her marriage? What are Anna's principle actions, objectives, and obstacles in the course of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Rachel's involvement in the murder investigation. Why does Rachel initially become involved in the case? Why does she continue to stay involved? How would the story differ if Rachel had stayed out of involvement in the mystery?

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