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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 does Brenda do before she faints.

2. How does Stella Mawson seem as Dalgliesh questions her?

3. What happens two months prior to Dr. Lorrimer's death?

4. What happens to Dr. Lorrimer for about six months?

5. What is Anglela's seeming attitude towards Dr. Lorrimer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What additional information does Dalgliesh learn from Angela Foley?

2. What does Dalgliesh ask Domenica and Howarth and what astounds the detectives with Domenica's reply?

3. How does Dalgliesh sum up his investigation so far at the end of the first day?

4. Describe Brenda Pridmore's walk through the construction site.

5. What do the detectives learn from Mr. Lorrimer?

6. What do several witnesses on a bus tell the detectives?

7. What does Dalgliesh learn from Domenica about Dr. Lorrimer?

8. What does Dalgliesh think about concerning his interview with Dr. Kerrison?

9. Describe Miss Willard.

10. What does Dalgliesh learn upon interviewing Inspector Doyle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Death of an Expert Witness belongs to the literary genre of mystery/detective fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read a mystery and detective novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," mystery/murder novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of characters who hate and/or dislike Dr. Lorrimer. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Director Howarth's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer. Are they reasonable and justified? On what grounds do you think the feelings arise? Do you think Dr. Lorrimer feels the same way towards Director Howarth? Do you think Howarth's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer are strong enough to lead Howarth to commit murder?

2. Discuss Domenica Schofield's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer. Are they reasonable and justified? On what grounds do you think the feelings arise? Do she ever care for Dr. Lorrimer? Do you think Domenica's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer are strong enough to lead her to commit murder?

3. Discuss Cliff Bradley's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer. Are they reasonable and justified? On what grounds do you think the feelings arise? Why do you think Cliff makes the comments he makes in the library as the staff is awaiting the arrival of Dalgliesh? Do you think Bradley's feelings towards Dr. Lorrimer are strong enough to lead him to commit murder?

Essay Topic 3

Nell Kerrison is introduced in the first few chapters. Though she may not be considered a major character, her emotional problems are what ultimately inadvertently condemn her father as a murderer. Additionally, her father chooses to confess his crimes in order that Nell does not have to testify against him. Discuss the following:

1. Briefly analyze Nell's character. What are her strengths and weaknesses. How do her weaknesses cause problems for Dr. Kerrison?

2. Do you believe Dr. Kerrison loves William more than Nell? Why or why not? Use specific examples.

3. What sort of impact do you think it will have on Nell when she realizes she exposes her father as a murderer?

(see the answer keys)

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