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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 do the brothers go for entertainment?

2. To whom does Cross apologize for being away from home?

3. Where does the first California murder occur?

4. How is the stalker best classified?

5. The meeting causes Cross to be afraid of what object?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Cross relieved when Kyle Craig agrees to fly to San Francisco? What about Craig makes Cross feel secure?

2. What are some of the reasons that becoming an FBI agent seems appealing to Cross? How would leaving the Metro police department affect Cross?

3. How are Craig and Cross tied to Kate McTiernan? How has their relationship changed?

4. Who is John Sampson? How does Sampson play an integral role in the story?

5. What prompted William and Michael's love of extreme sports? Why are the sports so appealing?

6. Who are the kids found in the old house? How do they react to outsiders?

7. Where does the Mastermind sit and think about his superiority? In what areas is the Mastermind superior to Cross?

8. What was Craig's opinion of Kate? Has the opinion changed since Craig last saw Kate?

9. What is the purpose of the Mastermind breaking into the Cross house?

10. How does Cross react to his meeting with Peter Westin? Is the meeting successful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the story, Cross knocks Craig unconscious and then phones home to capture the killer's confession on an answering machine. How did Cross known Craig would confess? Examine Patterson's use of irony in this final stage using Craig's tool of terror.

Essay Topic 2

Cross manages to take time out from the case to spend at home with Nana and the kids. Describe how the breaks affect Cross. Is the detective able to put the case aside in order to spend time at home? How does Nana react to the hectic lifestyle?

Essay Topic 3

John Sampson typically plays an integral role in the Alex Cross series. However, in "Violets are Blue," Sampson has a supporting, albeit important, role. Why is Sampson's role in the story important? How might the story have changed if Sampson had not been involved?

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This section contains 623 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample