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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. Who owns the car involved in Moogey Bues' shooting?

2. What does Stephanie admire about Morelli?

3. How long will it take Stephanie to get money to replace the stolen Jeep?

4. What vehicle replaces the stolen Jeep?

5. In Chapter Five, where does Stephanie get information on other caskets?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Stephanie become suspicious of Spiro and the cheap caskets?

2. What drives Stephanie's distrust of Morelli in this particular case?

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

4. Why does Grandma Mazur pull the finger off of the corpse at the funeral home?

5. Why does Stephanie's mother want her to have another job?

6. Why does Stephanie hire a former prostitute to work for Vinnie?

7. Could Stephanie accomplish what she does if she lived somewhere that was not as close knit?

8. How does the information about the money spent on funerals continue to cast suspicion on Spiro's story?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The 'Burg was practically a character in the novel itself. This community had a life of its own and beliefs of its own that shaped the characters and the outcome of the story.

Part 1) Describe the 'Burg. What were its unique qualities? How did its character affect the story?

Part 2) What is the significance of the 'Burg in this novel? Could the same story be as believable without the 'Burg as a location?

Part 3) If you were to offer up a different setting for the story, what would be a location option as strong as this one and why?

Essay Topic 2

Moral character is manipulated throughout this novel. For example, Stephanie thinks nothing of lying to the woman who broke up her marriage, as the woman thought nothing of breaking up Stephanie's marriage.

Cite five examples in the story where the rules of society are bent and seen as socially acceptable. Debate the rationale of what is "right" and "wrong" in each instance.

Essay Topic 3

Kenny's past is mentioned several times throughout the novel. There is discussion of how Kenny was as a child, as well as his recent relationships with women. Many of these instances are considered disturbing. How does this word of mouth discussion develop his character?

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This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample