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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 considered a common professional courtesy in the medical examiner's office?

2. Where does Edgar Allan Pogue live?

3. How does Suz Paulsson make Marino feel?

4. Why won't Lucy tell Scarpetta anything about her current case?

5. Where does Dr. Scarpetta live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bailey doing the funeral home a favor by tying off the carotid during autopsy?

2. Describe Edgar Allen Pogue's supervisor,Dave, at the Anatomical Division.

3. What are the events that Mrs. Paulsson remembers on the day of Gilly's death?

4. In chapter thirty when Scarpetta tells Marino to tell her all about what happened with Mrs. Paulsson, what are the reasons that makes Marino considers lying?

5. Describe what the Decomposed Room looks like.

6. Why does Dr. Kay Scarpetta come to Richmond, Va?

7. Describe the treasured items that Edgar Allen Pogue moved with.

8. Where does Lucy plant listening devices in Kate's home?

9. Describe Mrs. Paulsson's bathroom.

10. What does Lucy fabricate for her neighbor Kate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is used at several different intervals in the story.

Part 1) Pick out three major instances of foreshadowing and explain what they allude to.

Part 2) How would the story have been different without these instances of foreshadowing?

Part 3) Is it possible to write a story with NO foreshadowing in place? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The role of women and men in the story aren't always shown in typical ways in the story, such as Scarpetta and Lucy both having what could be thought of as jobs for men.

Part 1) In what other ways are gender issues shown or challeneged in the story?

Part 2) What other issues come up in the story although they don't necessarily pertain to the story? Explain how they are shown.

Essay Topic 3

Look at the family relationships seen in the story. Pick one of the following to write about.

Part 1) Describe what is known about the Paulsson family relationship. Was there any indication that Gilly's parents did or did not love her? Explain.

Part 2) Discuss the relationship between Scarpetta and Lucy. Is it possible that they will be able to reconcile their differences? Explain.

Part 3) Take a closer look at the family relationship between Pogue and his mother. What can be deducted about their relationship given Pogue's inner dialogue with his dead mother? What else can be gathered from Pogue that points to his family connections?

(see the answer keys)

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