View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After solving the kidnapping case, when does Spenser hear from Patty again?
(a) In April.
(b) In May.
(c) In December.
(d) In October.

2. Who leaves with the narrator in Chapter 3?
(a) Paul Giacomin.
(b) Mel Giacomin.
(c) Patty Giacomin.
(d) Elaine Brooks.

3. In Chapter 4, what reasoning does the narrator give for his career choice?
(a) "I used to be a singer, until I popped my vocal chord."
(b) "It lets me live life on my own terms."
(c) "I couldn't finish medical school."
(d) "All the good acting roles were taken."

4. What is Patty's reasoning for being married?
(a) To have a father for Paul.
(b) To have a stable home life.
(c) To keep her from being lonely.
(d) To get power and money.

5. What is the first question that the narrator asks the passenger in Chapter 4 after leaving the house?
(a) "Package for Ms. Brooks. She 'ere?"
(b) "Smart. I like a man who gets out of a marriage gracefully. Don't you?"
(c) "Who would you rather live with, your mother or your father?
(d) "Name's Spenser with an S, like the Poet. I'm in the Boston Book. Under Tough. Heard of me?"

6. In Chapter 8, when Patty and Spenser are talking at the breakfast table, what conclusion does Spenser come to about Patty, Mel, and Paul's relationship?
(a) That the three of them should go to counseling and work out their issues.
(b) That Paul is a trophy that Mel and Patty fight over to hurt each other; and that neither really care about Paul's well-being.
(c) That the divorce really was the most healthy outcome for the family.
(d) That they could really be a happy family if they all tried a little harder.

7. In Chapter 7, what is Patty's "plan" for Spenser?
(a) To go to the police with the story.
(b) To go and threaten her ex-husband.
(c) To stay with her and Paul; to be their protector.
(d) To go and beat up her ex-husband.

8. Besides the narrator, who else was evicted from the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Boylston?
(a) A pet shop and a dry cleaner.
(b) A bank and a tailor.
(c) No one.
(d) A fortune-teller and a bookie.

9. What is Spenser's response to Patty's "plan" in Chapter 7?
(a) He agrees, but acknowledges that guarding them is only a temporary solution.
(b) He tells her that it will not work, and that they must think of something else.
(c) He asks her to put him on permanent retainer.
(d) He politely declines the job, and gives her the name of an associate more suited for that type of work.

10. When Spenser tells Patty that he does not want a personal relationship with her, what is her reaction?
(a) She insults herself and him, and then breaks down crying.
(b) She tells him that she understands and that there are not any hard feelings.
(c) She gets angry and demands that he leave her house.
(d) She storms off to her room and starts breaking things.

11. After the eviction, what was the narrator's new address?
(a) Berkley and Height Ashbury.
(b) Speer and I-25.
(c) It was the same as the previous address.
(d) Boylston Street and the corner of Berkley.

12. Who is Mel Giacomin?
(a) Spenser's client.
(b) A dentist.
(c) Patty's ex-husband and Paul's father.
(d) A hoodlum Spenser knows from the past.

13. Who is the narrator?
(a) Hawkeye Anderson.
(b) Paul Warsol.
(c) Patty and Susan.
(d) Mr. Spenser.

14. In Chapter 10, what does Patty do in response to Paul's comments about her thoughts on the reality of modern women?
(a) She knocks over her half-full cup of coffee and its saucer off the table and onto the floor; and leaves the kitchen for her bedroom, slamming the door.
(b) She begins to cry, and runs out of the kitchen and into her bedroom, slamming the door.
(c) Looking into her coffee cup, she says nothing,
(d) She is quiet for some time, and finally acknowledges that he has a point.

15. What does the narrator buy at Bloomingdale's?
(a) A fedora.
(b) A silver wine bucket.
(c) A pair of sneakers.
(d) A gold watch.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Patty leaves for New York, what does Spenser do?

2. In Chapter 8, what does Patty inform Spenser in relation to the upcoming weekend?

3. Who was at home with Patty when Spenser and Paul arrived in Chapter 5?

4. How does the narrator enter the building in Chapter 3?

5. In what month does the story begin?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 796 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample