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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. What is the occupation of Scarpetta's friend, Abby Turnbull?

2. In all of the unsolved teen murders, Scarpetta has not been able to do what?

3. What is confirmed to Scarpetta at the luncheon meeting at the Globe and Laurel?

4. Why does Scarpetta take the bones of Fred and Deborah to Washington, DC?

5. What does Scarpetta learn about the missing teens' relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Linda, the firearms expert who works with Scarpetta.

2. What is the problem with the cartridge casing Scarpetta finds at the Cheney-Harvey murder scene?

3. Why does Scarpetta think her personal competence as the chief medical examiner is being called into question?

4. How does Ozimek describe a mysterious man she "sees" in the pictures of the woods where Harvey and Cheney were murdered?

5. How does Abby find out about the Seven-Eleven and what does it show?

6. What does Marino think the killer did to get Fred to go into the woods without resistance?

7. Describe Scarpetta's reaction to the newspaper headlines after the abandoned Jeep was found.

8. Why does Scarpetta dread having lunch with Pat Harvey?

9. Explain the significance of the jack of hearts.

10. Why does Scarpetta wish to avoid answering Pat's question about the search-and-rescue dog in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of trust runs through the book. Select two relationships below and describe how the element of trust influenced the nature of the relationship and the decisions of the individuals within that relationship.

1) Abby Turnbull and Kay Scarpetta

2) Kay Scarpetta and Benton Wesley

3) Abby Turnbull and Clifford Ring

4) Kay Scarpetta and Mark James

5) Kay Scarpetta and Pat Harvey

Essay Topic 2

In many ways, it makes sense that an FBI profiler would seek out the expertise of a psychic. Compare and contrast how the work of Benton Wesley and Hilda Ozimek. Whose work do you think is more important to the solving of The Couple Killings and why? Support your conclusion with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Parent-child relationships are complex and sometimes difficult. Below are characters whose relationship with a parent is mentioned in the story. Explain the significance of the parent-child relationship, if any, to the development of the story or the character. Be sure to support your analysis with relevant examples from the book.

Kay Scarpetta

Steven Spurrier

Deborah Harvey

(see the answer keys)

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