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 does Nolan say hired him?

2. Whose file does Quirk allow Spenser to read?

3. Who does Spenser try to contact as soon he gets back to his hotel room?

4. What two people do Morris and Spenser discuss?

5. To what instrument does Ronni hum along?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Spenser pick up from watching the videotape?

2. What does Spenser find out about Joe Broz in this section?

3. How do Susan and Spenser complement each other?

4. How does Meade deal with the angry women in Chapter 3?

5. Why does Farrell say he needs a body guard?

6. What do Paul and Spenser say about Sarah in this section?

7. How does Spenser make the break-in look like a random burglary?

8. How does Spenser act when he meets the Alexanders?

9. What does Spenser do when he returns home from his office?

10. What do Spenser and Susan do together in this section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Spenser's character across the whole series.

1. How does the author develop Spenser's character across the whole series?

2. What new elements does THE WIDENING GYRE add to Spenser's character?

Essay Topic 2

How accurate do the students think is Robert B. Parker's representation of detective work? Why does Spenser make a good detective? How does he use the story and character to create his representation?

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from the book and discuss his or her goals and motives. Do they achieve their motive? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample