View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why can't Kenny be implicated in the gun sale?

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

3. Stephanie starts to suspect Kenny and Moogey of doing what?

4. Why is Connie from the bond office upset at beginning of Chapter Five?

5. The guns sold in the gun sale in Chapter Six were from where?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why is Stephanie occasionally dishonest when seeking answers for her case?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stephanie's independence is a driving force in the novel. How would the story be different if the lead character was not so fiercely independent?

Part 1) Acknowledge the many ways Stephanie exerts her independence. How does her independence affect her interpersonal relationships? Does it help them or hurt them?

Part 2) Cite examples in the story where Stephanie's independence either helped or hurt her. Could she have prevented the attack on Grandma Mazur? Was it her independence that made her a target?

Part 3) What do you think would happen if Stephanie had relied more upon Morelli or her family during the story, instead of trying to handle everything alone? Would the case have been solved sooner? Would it have been solved at all?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 849 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample