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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 do the police who stop Marlowe make him do?

2. What does the woman at the bungalow in Westmore Street assume Marlowe is there for?

3. What is Mrs. Grayson doing, when Marlowe comes to visit the Graysons?

4. What prevents Degarmo from getting away?

5. What choice does Marlowe give the woman he meets at the Peacock Lounge?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. According to Marlowe, why did Muriel Chess have an affair with Lavery?

4. Who does Marlowe call to verify where Kingsley has gone, once he guesses where it is?

5. What is the big coincidence that Marlowe identifies in the case?

6. How does Grayson describe Dr. Almore's practice?

7. How does Degarmo react when Marlowe tells him about Mrs. Fallbrook?

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

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

10. What does Degarmo do when Patton makes it clear that he can't let Degarmo go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Marlowe's job puts him into dangerous situations. Discuss danger in the novel.

1) What causes danger in the novel? How is danger inherent in Marlowe's work?

2) How does Marlowe react to dangerous situations? What are his emotional responses? What are his intellectual responses, and what action does he take?

3) How do the antagonists in the novel react when they are in danger?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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