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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. When the two women appear on Tom's doorstep, how do the women view Penn?

2. What is the occupation of Penn Cage's father?

3. When Penn has a dream that someone is trying to tell him something, whom does Penn see in his dream?

4. According to the rumors that Penn had heard, where is Olivia living?

5. As Chapter Five opens, to whom does Penn grant an interview?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Austin Mackey, why did Mackey not investigate the Payton murder himself?

2. When Penn sees Mackey at the fundraising party, why is Mackey angry with Penn?

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

4. After Hanratty is convicted, what does Hanratty's brother do?

5. When Penn first confronts his father about what's bothering his father, how does Tom react?

6. When Penn first meets with the person he agrees to be interviewed by, why is Penn stunned?

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

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

9. Why does Pinder tell Penn that he's going to pretend to have never met Penn?

10. Why does Sam Jacobs warn Penn about the Payton murder as they leave the fund-raising party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story, there are several attempts on characters that either die or are killed.

a. Identify three characters that do not survive until the end of the novel. Describe each character and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

b. Compare and contrast the characters that do not survive. What does the author have to gain by killing these characters off? What, if anything, does the author lose?

c. How would the story have changed if one or more of your identified characters had survived?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the groups of people trying to prevent the truth about Payton's murder from being told. Compare and contrast these groups in terms of overall number, organization, overall motivation, ability to plan, and success achieved. How are they similar? How are they different? Does any one group actually end up succeeding? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the story.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the story, there are several attempts made on Penn Craig's life.

a. Identify three characters or groups who try to kill Penn. Describe the situation and how Penn escapes.

b. Compare and contrast the characters that try to kill Penn, as well as these characters' motivations.

(see the answer keys)

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