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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 reason doe Bill Chess at first assume Marlowe might want to look at the cabin?

2. What is significant about the inscription on the gold heart Marlowe finds?

3. Is the perfume Marlowe smelled in Lavery's bedroom the same kind Miss Fromsett wears?

4. What is the first thing Marlowe sees of the woman at Lavery's house?

5. What does the sheriff imply about Bill's note from Muriel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Marlowe treat the bellhop captain?

2. How does Miss Fromsett describe Florence Almore?

3. How does the woman in Lavery's house leave?

4. What does Lavery look like?

5. How does Kingsley act, when Marlowe first meets him?

6. What things does Marlowe list that might have happened to Kingsley's wife?

7. How would you characterize the way that Miss Fromsett treats Marlowe?

8. What does Marlowe ask about that Lavery seems to react to, as if it makes him think or wonder something he's not saying?

9. What gives Marlowe a scare while he is searching the Chesses' cabin?

10. What does Marlowe discover when he examines the item he takes from the woman in Lavery's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, there are two ways to deal with problems and difficult situations: physical and mental prowess. Discuss physical and mental prowess in the novel.

1) When and how does Marlowe use physical force, intimidation, or threat? Why does Marlowe use these tactics?

2) When and how does Marlowe use mental deduction, bluffing, or other mental tactics? Why does Marlowe use these tactics?

3) Which is more important in the novel, the mental or the physical? Which has greater value attached to it?

Essay Topic 2

The mystery in the novel is created through deception. Discuss deception in the novel.

1) How are appearances deceptive in the novel? How does Marlowe deal with and untangle deceptive appearances?

2) How do characters in the novel deceive each other? What are the motives for deceit?

3) In what ways is Marlowe deceptive? Why? Is deception merely an ethically neutral tool, or is it a bad thing?

Essay Topic 3

Degarmo both brings Marlowe into the central mystery of the story and drives the ending of the novel. Discuss Degarmo's character.

1) Why does Degarmo try to protect his wife? Why does he ultimately kill her?

2) In what ways is Degarmo corrupt? What is the motivation behind his corruption?

3) How intelligent is Degarmo? What mistakes does he make? How does Marlowe see through him?

(see the answer keys)

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