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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 Alex's family cat?

2. Once upon a time, Billie worked as a _____ nurse.

3. What kind of car does John drive?

4. Where was Starkey born?

5. What are the women drinking as the Three Blind Mice descend upon Tanya Jackson's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do people seem to want to see Alex hooked up with a woman again?

2. What was Lieutenant Colonel Etra accused of and how does his wife feel about his execution?

3. Who is on General Bowen's staff and what do they do for him?

4. What piece of evidence threatens to convict Sergeant Cooper and why?

5. What bet does Starkey make with Griffin and Harris, and why does he think he will win the bet?

6. How does Harris treat Starkey?

7. How does John see Billie as different from other women?

8. Why is Jamilla unsure of herself as she opens up to Alex?

9. How does Alex feel about his relationship with Jamilla at the beginning of the book?

10. What anecdote does John share with Billie about returning from the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Alex and Nana cope with her impending operation? How has Nana's illness manifested itself throughout the book? When does it become evident that she has to do something about it? How does she react initially? How does she resign herself to the situation?

Essay Topic 2

What happens in the confrontation between Alex and John and the Three Blind Mice in Starkey's home? Why are Alex and John there? Where have they been beforehand? What do they find? How does the confrontation end?

Essay Topic 3

What is the "snake model" as described by Harris? Who is being ridiculed in the description of the "snake model"? Why does this come up in conversation with his partners in the Three Blind Mice?

(see the answer keys)

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