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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. How many children did Bess Leander have?

2. Why is Sheriff Burton so irate with the way Theo handled the murder investigation?

3. What does Molly rename the trailer?

4. How does Estelle feel when Catfish invites her on a date?

5. How many of Gabe's rats have gone missing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gabe think happened to Jim Beer's cows?

2. How is the Sheriff caught, and what is his punishment?

3. Why did Jim Beer agree to turn his ranch into a methamphetamine lab?

4. How does Gabe react when he realizes some of his rats are missing?

5. What memories is Steve suddenly flooded with when he starts to remember his past?

6. How does Molly respond when Theo comes to her house asking questions about Mikey's disappearance?

7. What conversation does Gabe get into with Val on the day after Mikey disappears?

8. After being locked in the methamphetamine lab, how does Theo feel about Molly?

9. Why does The Spider agree to help Theo at the cave battle?

10. Why does Sheriff Burton leave Theo seven angry messages on his answering machine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Gabe Fenton is working on various science experiments that eventually lead to a crucial discovery about the sea monster. First, explain the science experiments Gabe is working on regarding the rats. Describe at least two major scientific breakthroughs Gabe makes through these studies, and explain how these breakthroughs eventually helped lead to the capture of the sea monster.

Essay Topic 2

Friendship and trust become important elements during the investigations that take place in this novel. First, explain who you believe is the most trustworthy character in the novel, and give at least two examples for times when this character proved their trustworthiness. Then, compare / contrast that to the character you believe to be the least trustworthy character in the novel. Give at least two examples of times when this character proved their untrustworthiness.

Essay Topic 3

There are two major settings for the people of Pine Cove - The HP Cafe, and the Slug's Head Saloon. First, describe each of these settings in detail. Then, explain why these settings are so important to the novel as a whole, and give at least one example of a plot changing event that happened in these settings. Finally, explain which place you think is most important to Pine Cove as a whole, and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample