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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 does Marlowe hear as he approaches his apartment?

2. Whose car is in Kingsley's garage when Degarmo and Marlowe go to Kingsley's house?

3. Who calls Sheriff Patton's office to tell them where Degarmo is?

4. Who is in Marlowe's office building when he returns there?

5. What misleading statement does Marlowe give Degarmo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dobbs say he's going to charge Marlowe with?

2. How does the desk sergeant annoy Degarmo?

3. What does Webber do, when Marlowe tells him about being threatened by Degarmo?

4. What conditions does Marlowe discover in the apartment he enters after leaving the murdered woman's apartment?

5. How does Degarmo act toward the sentries at the dam on the way to the cabin?

6. After leaving the crime scene, what does Degarmo try to convince the other police officer?

7. As Degarmo seemingly gets away, what sentiment does Marlowe utter twice?

8. What is the reaction of the younger policeman, Eddie, when he sees the gun on the table?

9. How does Degarmo react to Marlowe mentioning the idea that Almore murdered his wife and then used his influence to get it hushed up?

10. What does the parking attendant at the Grenada assume Marlowe is there for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marlowe learns the truth through investigation and interviewing. Discuss investigation and interviewing in the novel.

1) What techniques does Marlowe use to investigate? How does he approach interviewing people?

2) How do Marlowe's interviewing techniques vary in different situations, with different people?

3) What information is Marlowe able to acquire by talking to people? What makes his interviews effective or ineffective?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The novel is full of clues and implications inherent in events that Marlowe must interpret in order to find the truth. Discuss clues and implications in the novel.

1) How are clues that Marlowe finds deceptive? How do they give hints to the truth? How does Marlowe discern one from the other?

2) What does Marlowe infer from others' behavior? How is he able to make these inferences?

3) What does Marlowe infer from activity that he observes around him? How is observation and inference related? What skills does Marlowe use to make these inferences?

(see the answer keys)

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