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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. In Chapter Five, whom does Morelli say is dangerous?

2. Why does Stephanie hope Spiro will make a sexual move on her?

3. What did Vinnie do to cause a problem with the female file clerk?

4. The night Stephanie's apartment is robbed, what does she set up against her door in case of another break-in?

5. What is the tip-off Lula provides Stephanie in Chapter Seven?

Short Essay Questions

1. By leaving a card with the Sandman's neighbor, is Stephanie setting herself up as a target or simply attempting to get information?

2. What do Stephanie and her Grandmother argue about prior to Moogey's funeral?

3. Does the fact that the stolen guns are from Fort Braddock mean that Kenny is guilty?

4. Stephanie attends dinner with her grandmother hoping to get a lead on her case through neighborhood gossip. The grandmother invites Stephanie to dinner in hopes that she will connect with Spiro, the surprise dinner guest. What do these actions say about the relationship of these women to each other?

5. Stephanie is often shown consuming what type of food throughout the story?

6. What does the cat in the hamster cage symbolize?

7. What does the hamster Rex offer to Stephanie? How does this contrast with Morelli?

8. How does the 'Burg help with the job Stephanie is trying to do?

9. When Spiro produces an unsigned letter much like the one Stephanie received, what does this device achieve?

10. When Stephanie and Morelli bump into each other at the crash, what does it symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Morelli and Stephanie rely on one another but seem to prefer to work alone. How did this help or hinder their progress in solving the crime?

Part 1) What were some examples of Stephanie and Morelli unwittingly working against each other? Could they have made further progress by pooling their resources?

Part 2) There were several incidents of mayhem due to their separate approach. Cite examples and explain the symbolism of these accidents.

Part 3) What were some specific moments or areas Stephanie and Morelli could have shared information and gotten better results? List examples and consider how cooperation could have changed the story.

Essay Topic 2

Although Stephanie's heart was broken by her ex-husband, the author puts Stephanie face to face with the woman who helped ruin her marriage instead of him. Consider why the author uses this approach. Does the scene create more sympathy for Stephanie? Does it offer any additional insight into why Stephanie is the way she is? How could the story have been different if Stephanie had bumped into her ex-husband instead?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, guns made a significant appearance. Discuss whether guns were portrayed as good or evil, and in the end, what this might mean in terms of the author's philosophy on firearms.

Part 1) Cite and discuss where guns were portrayed positively in the story and why.

Part 2) Cite and discuss where guns were portrayed negatively in the story and why.

Part 3) Explain Stephanie's relationship to her gun. Why did she keep it in a jar? Why did she rely on her stun gun instead? Was it ironic that Stephanie used a stun gun to go save Grandma Mazur, but it was Grandma Mazur's real gun that saved the day?

(see the answer keys)

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