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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. After Skink is badly beaten, what body part will Skink most likely lose as a result of his injuries?

2. After Jim Tile gets off work and returns to his house, which of his prisoners decides to answer Jim's questions?

3. When Skink and Decker are trying to think of a safe place to hide, where does Decker finally drive to?

4. Whose boat is the last one to reach the dock for the weigh-in at the New Orleans bass tournament?

5. How do Skink and Decker evade the police when the police show up at Decker's "safe house"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Deacon Johnson have trouble in Florida obtaining a child for Weeb's next human healing?

2. At the New Orleans bass fishing tournament, what does the angler with the heaviest stringer receive?

3. Why does Garcia want to be present when Decker is taken into custody?

4. After Decker is awakened in his Miami trailer by the telephone ringing, what does he expect that his visitor will be bringing to him?

5. Why does Dickie Lockhart have a closed coffin at his funeral?

6. According to the hydrologist, why are the fish in Lunker Lakes all dying?

7. After returning to Miami, what does Decker want to tell Dennis Gault?

8. Describe Charles Weeb's boyhood, as revealed in his official church biography.

9. When Lanie is being questioned by Tile and Decker, she admits lying to the police. Why does Lanie lie to the police?

10. Why does Thomas Curl intend to kill R.J. Decker?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness, draw the reader deeper into the story, and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot, as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare and contrast the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: R.J. Decker, Skink, Dickie Lockhart, Charles Weeb, and Thomas Curl.

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