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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. When Scarpetta examines the bodies of Deborah Harvey and Fred Cheney in the woods, what does she notice?

2. How does Hilda describe the individual that she "sees" with Fred and Deborah when they disappeared?

3. What charity organization does Pat Harvey suspect is front for drug trafficking?

4. Which missing teen's mother is dead?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Scarpetta struggle over spending time with Abby Turnbull in Chapter 3?

2. As Chapter 1 opens, what is Scarpetta's perspective on working with other police agencies involved in VICAP?

3. Why is Scarpetta concerned about the bodies of Cheney and Harvey being moved?

4. How does Ozimek explain what she does?

5. Describe the appearance of the bodies of Harvey and Cheney at the murder scene.

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

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

8. What's stressful for Scarpetta in dealing with parents?

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

10. Explain the significance of the jack of hearts.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Below are three examples of a character or piece of information presented in the story that ultimately proved unimportant in solving the crime. With each example, explain what purpose you think the author had in mind by introducing these elements into the story.

Pete Marino's wife

Scarpetta's niece, Lucy

Deborah Harvey's breast-reduction operation

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to write about:

1) Discuss the multiple issues the FBI was balancing while investigating The Couple Killings and the impact of those issues on the investigation.

2) Abby Turnbull and Pat Harvey share information with each other on a regular basis. Do you think this was a reasonable thing for Abby to do? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

3) Pat Harvey was convinced Steven Spurrier murdered her daughter and that Spurrier would never be convicted. Ms. Harvey decided to take matters into her own hands. What do you think of Pat Harvey's decision and should her actions have been foreseen by the police and FBI? Use examples from the book to explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The issue of control is another dominant theme in this story. Select one of the following characters and describe how the issue of control played as both a positive and a negative influence in the character's decisions.

Kay Scarpetta

Steven Spurrier

Pat Harvey

Abby Turnbull

(see the answer keys)

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