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

2. What color is Captain Webber's hair?

3. What did Talley steal from Florence Almore's body?

4. What does Marlowe do with his gun when he's stopped by the police?

5. What motives does Marlowe ascribe to Muriel Chess for killing Crystal Kingsley?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marlowe say about Muriel's explanation of why she went back to Lavery's the morning after the murder?

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

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

4. Who is in the Peacock Lounge when Marlowe comes in?

5. Where and in what condition do Marlowe and Patton find the car that Degarmo escaped in?

6. What does Marlowe notice happening on the street as he tries to talk to Mrs. Talley?

7. What reason does Marlowe give Mrs. Kingsley that she'll miss him?

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

9. What reason does Marlowe give to Degarmo for telling Degarmo all Marlowe suspects, on the ride up to Kingsley's cabin?

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

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 story behind The Lady in the Lake is one of relationships: husbands and wives, lovers, and jealous rivals. Discuss relationships in the novel.

1) What do men and women want from relationships in the novel?

2) Discuss Lavery's relationships. Who is Lavery? What do women want from him? What does Lavery expect out of relationships?

3) Do romantic relationships lead to happiness in the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The Lady in the Lake is written in the first person narrative point of view, from the perspective of Marlowe. Discuss the novel's point of view.

1) Why does the author choose the first person narrative point of view? Why is the story told from Marlowe's perspective?

2) What does Marlowe reveal to the reader, as narrator, and when? What does Marlowe keep hidden from the reader, though he may know it himself?

3) How does the first person narration affect the tone of the novel? How is it appropriate to the genre?

(see the answer keys)

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