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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. Why is Virgil so convinced that Carl did not kill Crystal?

2. What is wrong with Virgil's body?

3. Who did Crystal meet with at school on the day of her death?

4. Where does Joe currently work?

5. What is the name of Carl Iverson's nursing home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Joe Talbert visit Hillview Manor at the beginning of the book?

2. Why does Terry Bremer call Joe when his mother does not come home?

3. What is the purpose of Carl's "dying declaration"?

4. What crime was Carl Iverson convicted of committing?

5. How does the author describe Crystal Hagen?

6. How does Joe use Carl's case to get to know Lila better?

7. How does Joe try to get Lila Nash to notice him at the beginning of the book?

8. Why did Joe step into a bar for the first time when he was ten years old?

9. In Chapter 4, Joe finds a photograph of Carl Iverson being taken into custody. What does he see when he looks at Carl's face in the photo?

10. Why does Jeremy look to the corners of the room when Joe is talking to him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Carl's conviction for Crystal's murder marked him as a pedophile. Berthel Collins tells Joe that being labeled as a pedophile likely made Carl's prison term more difficult. Why does he think this? What does he tell Joe about prison culture in general and Stillwater Prison in particular?

Essay Topic 2

Carl makes one more confession in Chapter 31. What does he confess to Joe and how does Joe feel about the confession? In Chapter 6 Carl tells Joe that there is a difference between killing and murdering, then says, "I've done both. I've killed . . . and I've murdered" (44). Explain his comment in light of Carl's final confession.

Essay Topic 3

How did Virgil Gray lose his leg? How does Virgil feel about Carl? Do you think his loyalty is justified or is it naïve? Does this new information affect Joe? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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