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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. As the story opens and Elena is out running, what is the weather like?

2. Whose family came into a great deal of money when a great uncle died?

3. Who cares for Barbara Havers's mother while Barbara is at work?

4. Where does Lynley travel to in order to conduct his initial interview with Sarah Gordon?

5. When Lynley goes to Elena's room to look for clues, what does Lynley realize Elena had been fond of?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Justine, why did she not run with Elena the day that Elena was murdered?

2. When Lynley goes to investigate the Seymour Street address he found, where had Lynley found the address?

3. In Chapter 3, why is Helen Clyde staying at her sister's house?

4. What is a Ceephone?

5. According to her sister, what does the large wooden puzzle that Helen and Christian are working on say about Iris's tastes?

6. Why is Lynley suspicious of Sarah Gordon even though her alibi checked out?

7. How would life change if Anthony Weaver is awarded the Penford Chair?

8. How does Glyn Weaver respond in Chapter 9 when the police deny her second demand?

9. When Lynley and his companion stop for lunch in Chapter 8, what does Lynley reveal to his companion about the previous night?

10. When Lynley reaches the crime scene, what do the local men in the workshop repairing boats believe about the ongoing investigation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Sarah Gordon, Justine Weaver, Glyn Weaver, and Rosalyn Simpson.

Essay Topic 2

Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers can be seen as kindred spirits. Although they are not quite the same, they share a number of similarities. Identify and describe these similarities. Then, based on your discussion of their similarities, identify the ways in which these two police officers' similarities facilitate the plot's development and move the story forward.

Essay Topic 3

Compare Adam Jenn and Gareth Randolph.

a. How are the two characters similar in terms of their personal and professional lives?

b. How are the two characters similar in their personality characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses?

c. Looking forward, how might being involved with Elena have affected each of these men as they moved forward with their lives? Would they be similarly affected?

(see the answer keys)

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