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. Who is Jost Von Oster?

2. Why is Pendergast at the crime scene in Chapter 14?

3. What relative of Margo's died in the weeks before the opening of the main plot of the novel?

4. What does G.S.E. stand for?

5. What causes Margo to run from the exhibit hall in Chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. What connection between the killer and the Mbwun figurine does Margo make in Chapter 25?

2. What family crisis is taking place in the Green family, forcing Margo to make a decision that could end her dreams of completing her education?

3. What is a ballistics analysis and why does Pendergast suggest one be done on the blood at the crime scene in Chapter 14?

4. What does Margo Green find when she reports for work on Monday morning in Chapter 3?

5. Why is D'Agosta called to the Computer Room in Chapter 26? What happens while he is there?

6. What is Margo Green working on at the Museum of Natural History? Who is her adviser?

7. Why is the local bar, The Blarney Stone Tavern, near the museum referred to as The Bones by museum employees?

8. What do the scientists at the independent lab tell Pendergast and D'Agosta in Chapter 23 about the DNA sample taken from the claw found in the chest of one of the victims?

9. How does Margo end up in the Superstition Exhibit hall in Chapter 20?

10. Where does Whittlesey find Crocker? What does the marks on the body say to Whittlesey about Crocker's fate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the character relationships below in detail, citing examples from the book:

1) Margo and Smithback

2) Smithback and Rickman

3) D'Agosta and Pendergast

4) D'Agosta and Coffey

5) Coffey and Pendergast

6) Dr. Frock and Dr. Cuthbert.

Essay Topic 2

There is a large amount of competition in the academic world. Discuss the competition seen in this novel. What kind of competition is involved? Who competes against who? What does Dr. Frock have to say about the competition he finds himself in? Is Margo competing with someone in this novel? If so, in what way and for what reason? What would the academic world be like without competition? How does this competition form and destroy reputations? How important is this competition to the careers of academicians?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following themes in detail:

1) Survival Instinct

2) Ambition

3) Responsibility

4) Scientific Theory

5) Genetic Mutation

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 982 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample