View a FREE sample

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 name of the black woman who works for the Cage family?

2. At the time of the fight with Penn, what was the occupation of the man Penn fought with for the right to prosecute Hanratty?

3. As Penn and his interviewer discuss racism in the south, how does Penn react?

4. Of what is Penn accused by the woman who throws a drink in his face?

5. Who is the father of the girl Penn was involved with during high school?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Penn's mother, why had she been upset earlier on the phone?

2. While Tom and Penn are fighting about the newspaper article, two women appear on Tom's doorstep. Why are the women there?

3. According to Penn's FBI contact, what reason was given for sealing Payton's case files?

4. When Penn first confronts his father about what's bothering his father, what does Penn think is going on?

5. When Penn and Tom discuss Tom's options regarding the blackmail, Penn suggests two options to his father. What are they?

6. According to Sam Jacobs, what two things drive the Marston family?

7. According to the story Penn tells during his interview, why was Payton murdered?

8. Although Penn has no proof, what does he suspect about his father's involvement in his wife's final hours?

9. How does Penn feel when he returns to his hometown to begin life anew?

10. Why did Presley return the gun he borrowed from Tom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Leo Marston is a man who is supremely confident. Identify at least three instances from the story that highlight his confidence. How is Marston helped by his utter confidence? How is Marston hurt by his confidence? Provide examples of each.

Essay Topic 2

Several times in the story, Penn seeks out the help of other people in order to move forward in both his investigation into the Payton murder and in his personal life.

a. Identify at least three times in the story in which Penn reaches out for help.

b. Compare and contrast each of these events in terms of the situation Penn is trying to understand, the effect of his asking for help, and the situation that immediately follows this time.

c. How might Penn's actions have impacted the story's plot if he hadn't reached out for help from others?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Penn is involved with two very different women. Compare and contrast the relationship Penn has with Caitlin and the relationship Penn has with Olivia. Then, compare and contrast these two women. How do these relationships influence not only Penn, but also the other people that are in his life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 735 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample