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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. Why does Moogey have a closed casket?

2. Whom is Stephanie staking out in the opening of the book?

3. What does Stephanie have to remind herself regarding Morelli?

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

5. Whose viewing does Stephanie attend with her grandmother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Grandma Mazur and Eula have in common?

2. What is the major difference between the attitude of Stephanie's grandmother and Mrs. Plum?

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

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

5. Why does Stephanie go to the storage unit in Chapter Four?

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

7. There are many examples of irreverence that take place at the funeral home. For example, the group that attends the K and C funeral get rowdy and drunk. How does this device help the story?

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

9. Why did parts of the 'Burg seem to become less fortunate than others?

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

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 2

Stephanie is fiercely independent, yet there are many instances where Morelli is present to protect her. List three moments where Morelli tried to protect Stephanie. Based on the text, determine whether or not his protection in these moments actually kept Stephanie safe or if she was perfectly safe on her own.

Essay Topic 3

Stephanie and Morelli share a romantic interest for one another within the story. Yet, they do not end up together at the end of the book.

1) Compare the two characters. How are they similar? How are they different?

2) Consider how these two characters compliment each other. Do they work well together? Or do they work better alone?

3) Based on your analysis of who they are, consider their compatibility. Are these two characters a love match? Or are they better off to just stay out of each other's way?

(see the answer keys)

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