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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 makes the police and Lord Peter certain that Will Thoday could not have buried Jeff Deacon in Lady Thorpe's grave?

2. Whose handwriting do the officials at Maidstone Gaol decide is on the French paper Hilary Thorpe finds in the church belfry?

3. How do the police try to get Will and James Thoday to confess to Jeff Deacon's murder?

4. What are the emeralds wrapped in when they're discovered?

5. The ringers of which church bell tend to live to ripe old age?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Suzanne Legros react when she is sent a photograph of Arthur Cobbleigh?

2. Why does Bunter get upset with Emily over the beer bottle found in the vestry?

3. How does Lady Wilbraham respond when her stolen emeralds are found?

4. How does Will Thoday die, and how does his death redeem his character?

5. How does Lord Peter find the stolen emeralds?

6. What account of Deacon's death does Cranton give when charged with Deacon's murder?

7. What brings Lord Peter back to Fenchurch St. Paul one year after he abandons the mystery of Jeff Deacon's murder?

8. What is Jeff Deacon's tie to Arthur Cobbleigh?

9. Why does Will Thoday initially believe Deacon has returned to Fenchurch St. Paul and what is the actual reason Deacon has returned?

10. Who mutilates Deacon's body after his death and for what reason is the corpse mutilated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the detective characters in the story: Lord Peter Wimsey, Superintendent Blundell and Chief Inspector Parker. How do the techniques of Lord Peter, the amateur, compare with those of the professionals? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The bells in Reverend Venables' church are considered holy, and sinners are reported to fear them. Discuss the symbolism of the bells and the concept of sacredness in the novel. What do you think the author intends to convey through the use of the bells as sacred objects and how does the manner of Deacon's death fit this purpose? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the antagonists Lord Peter encounters in the novel: Will Thoday, James Thoday, Jeff Deacon and Nobby Cranton.

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