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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. From what illness does Nobby Cranton suffer?

2. How does Mrs. Gates say the Thorpe family has always treated her?

3. What object does Lord Peter find in the church belfry that he believes may yield fingerprints?

4. About what does the sluice-keeper complain when Lord Peter and Bunter drive past the sluice gates?

5. What is Reverend Venables' first name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Potty Peake's claim to have seen in the church with Legros, and what does his claim imply and how reliable is it considered?

2. Why is the unknown man's corpse in Lady Thorpe's grave suspected of being Nobby Cranton?

3. In what ways is Mrs. Venables a foil to the character of her husband, Reverend Venables?

4. What educational and career plans does Hilary Thorpe express to her father before he dies?

5. What reason does Jean Legros give his wife for his return to England?

6. How does Reverend Venables help Lord Peter solve the cipher?

7. Why do Superintendent Blundell and Lord Peter suspect that the Thoday brothers may have been involved in the death of Jean Legros?

8. How well does Hilary Thorpe get along with her Uncle Edward?

9. Why is Mrs. Gates unhappy with Mrs. Coppins over a wreath?

10. What is the Fens, the novel's setting, like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the following secondary characters in the novel: Reverend Venables, Bunter and Hilary Thorpe. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast any three female characters in the novel. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the subplots in the novel. Explain how each subplot relates to the main plot and how it contributes to characterization in the novel. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,000 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample