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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. Who solved the case that sent Waddell to prison?

2. Who tells Scarpetta that Susan has gone home sick?

3. What is the name of the guard who searches Scarpetta when she goes to see where Waddell was executed?

4. What neighborhood do Marino and Scarpetta go and visit after they see where Waddell was visited?

5. When was Jennifer married?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Susan get upset while doing Jennifer's autopsy?

2. What does Marino confess to Scarpetta about his dating life while over at her house on Christmas?

3. Why is the prison nearly empty when Marino and Scarpetta go to investigate Waddell's execution?

4. What does Scarpetta learn from the prison guard about Waddell's final hours?

5. What does Lucy think is going on with Waddell's fingerprints supposedly being found at Jennifer's death scene?

6. Why does Jennifer's neighbor not like her?

7. What is Scarpetta's feeling on the death penalty?

8. Why does Scarpetta get angry at Lucy within the first few days that she is visiting?

9. What did Jennifer take an interest in shortly before her death?

10. What does Lucy suggest about what has happened to Scarpetta's computer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe at least 4 ways that the novel is changed ,either positively or negatively, by having detailed cooking scenes with Scarpetta. Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Murder mysteries, those by Patricia Cornwell in particular, are an especially popular type of novel. Discuss at least 4 aspects of Cornwell's writing style that resonates so strongly with such a large audience. Cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the relationship between Lucy and Scarpetta. Using direct evidence from the text, make sure to address the following points: what their relationship has been like historically, what their relationship is like now, and what the reader learns about these 2 characters through their interactions with each other.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 784 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample