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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 Skink and Garcia return from Garcia's fishing lesson on the lake, who is waiting for the two men at Skink's cabin?

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

3. When first starting out as a televangelist, how did Charles Weeb gain his first followers?

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

5. When Decker returns from New Orleans to Miami, who does Decker unsuccessfully try to reach on the telephone?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What "proof" do the police have that point to Decker as Dickie's killer?

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

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

6. When Decker and Skink are leaving town and realize they are being followed, Decker pulls over to talk to the person following them. What does Decker realize about his pursuer?

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

8. Why does Thomas Curl decide to kidnap Catherine?

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

10. At the New Orleans bass fishing tournament, what does the angler with the biggest fish receive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

R.J. Decker and Skink have been together throughout the novel. They've been shot at together, eluded police together, and tried to solve murders together. However, as the final plan comes together, the two men separate. Decker goes to rescue Catherine and Skink heads to Lunker Lakes. Why does Decker refuse to let Skink come with him and insist the other men continue their Lunker Lakes plan? What makes the Lunker Lakes plan different from their other plans? Do you agree with Decker's decision to rescue Catherine alone? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are several characters introduced in the story who do not survive until the end. Identify at least three people killed as the novel progresses. Compare and contrast each of these deaths, being sure to indicate which character died, how the character died, who was responsible for the character's death, and what impact on the overall plot the character's death had. What could have - or should have - been learned from each of these deaths by the other characters?

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