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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. Where does Lucy go after leaving the airport?

2. Who tells Scarpetta that there is no record of Pogue owning a vehicle?

3. Where is the snow piled high outside from where Lucy is?

4. What type of airplane brings Lucy to Aspen?

5. What had Dr. Paulsson canceled to fit Lucy into his schedule?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Scarpetta tell Marino in chapter thirty-three when he asks if she is sure that Mrs. Paulsson won't call the cops?

2. What does Lucy do to imply that she is nervous and shy when she first walks into Dr. Paulsson's office in chapter forty-five?

3. What happens in chapter thirty-four when Scarpetta calls Benton?

4. What does Rudy call Scarpetta to tell her in chapter forty-two?

5. What does Mrs. Paulson tell Marino and Scarpetta about the man living next door, Pogue, in chapter forty-three?

6. What does Lucy say to Henri, contradicting what Henri is saying is the reason for the attack?

7. What does Scarpetta answer when Marino asks what if Mrs. Paulsson has aids?

8. Describe what happens when Scarpetta first arrives at Mrs. Paulsson's home in the beginning of chapter thirty-one when Scarpetta goes to confront Mrs. Paulsson about the attack on Marino.

9. What is the salesman in the tobacco shop able to tell Marino?

10. Why does Scarpetta not advise Rudy what to do about calling the police about the bomb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mr. Paulsson and Rudy both are seen very little in the story although they have a large impact on the other characters in the book.

Part 1) Speculate on why the author chose to limit these two character's role in the story.

Part 2) What was accomplished by having Rudy be the one that connected the finger prints at both Lucy's home and the Paulsson murder?

Part 3) Describe the effect that seeing Dr. Paulsson has on the story.

Essay Topic 2

There could arguably be several different main themes in the story.

Part 1) Pick a theme that you feel is the strongest and most prevalent in the story. What is it and why did you chose that theme.

Part 2) How does an author use themes as a literary tool? In what ways does this pertain to the book Trace?

Part 3) In the first ten chapters of the book is it clear what the theme of the book is going to be? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Marino inadvertently gets pulled into Mrs. Paulsson's scam and she almost accuses him of raping her.

Part 1) What does this say about Mrs. Paulsson's personality? What does it say about Marino's personality that he was so easily pulled into Mrs. Paulsson's trap?

Part 2) What does it convey to the reader that Scarpetta was so eager to go and confront Mrs. Paulsson after Marino's attack?

Part 3) Is it understandable that Mrs. Paulsson was so eager to drop her accusations after Scarpetta confronted her? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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