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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 name of the perfume that Catherine always wears when she visits Decker?

2. According to Skink's theory, what was Bobby looking for on the day that Bobby died?

3. When the men on the fishing boat don't turn around so Decker can get a good picture of their faces, what does Skink do?

4. Decker is the second person that Dennis tries to hire to investigate Dickie's cheating. Who was hired before Decker?

5. What does Ott Pickney typically write for the Harney Sentinel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Years before the story takes place, what did Decker do to land him in Apalachee prison?

2. Why does the local pathologist who examines Bobby Clinch's body not do a thorough autopsy?

3. When Pickney asks Decker why he got a divorce, what does Decker say?

4. When Dickie goes to Weeb's hotel room in New Orleans, what is the rumor that Dickie has heard?

5. Why has Dennis Gault never rigged a bass tournament himself?

6. Decker realizes that he's met Lanie Gault before Harney. Where did Decker originally meet Lanie Gault?

7. Why does Bobby Clinch like to drive in the fog?

8. Years earlier, when Dennis Gault offered money to an undercover federal officer to kill Dickie Lockhart, why wasn't Dennis arrested?

9. What does Dennis Gault hope to gain by pulling out of the next few fishing tournaments?

10. How does Pickney characterize bass guides when Decker asks Pickney for his help in finding a guide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Reverend Weeb and Clinton Tyree.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. What is revealed about each character as their back stories are explained? Discuss how money affects both of these characters.

Essay Topic 2

R.J. Decker's first job out of high school was as a professional photographer. Discuss Decker's professional photography positions, as well as why Decker chose to leave photography behind and become a private investigator. Then, expand your discussion to include the ironic fact that Decker's life is saved during the story through the clever use of his camera. How might Decker's life - and the story - have changed if Decker's first love had not been photography? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

The theme of loyalty is evident throughout the novel. Dennis Gault's loyalties, for instance, lie with himself and he turns on anyone who tries to get in his way. Discuss how the theme of loyalty is portrayed through the eyes of R.J. Decker, Clinton Tyree, Jim Tile, Charles Weeb, and Catherine. Support your observations.

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