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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 is the first thing Reverend Venables does once Lord Peter tells him the sluice gates are collapsing?

2. From where does Potty Peake observe Will Thoday's interactions with Jeff Deacon in the church belfry?

3. Who does Mrs. Wilbraham designate as Hilary Thorpe's trustee in handling the affairs of her estate?

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

5. Why do Mary Thoday and Will Thoday leave town?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What aspect of the mystery of Jeff Deacon's death is Lord Peter still unable to solve one year after first becoming involved in the puzzle?

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

4. Discuss the religious symbolism in the flood of Fenchurch St. Paul and the villagers' experience in the church during the flood.

5. What surprising news is revealed about Deacon's murder when James and Will Thoday are left alone in a room with a hidden microphone?

6. How does Lord Peter find the stolen emeralds?

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

8. Why does Will Thoday take a large sum of money out of the bank and then redeposit it?

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

10. Why do Will and Mary Thoday have to remarry each other?

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

Discuss the humor in The Nine Tailors: Changes Rung on an Old Theme in Two Short Touches and Two Full Peals. Give at least three examples of humor from the novel and discuss both the techniques Dorothy L. Sayers uses to convey humor in the novel and what you think she is trying to achieve through her use of humor.

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