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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. How does this man react when Spenser presses him for information?

2. When Healy lifts the lid of the box, what does he find?

3. Does Kevin seem like the kind of kid who would take his pet without taking something to carry the animal in and something to feed it?

4. What is in the carport producing a steady whine?

5. What does Spenser learn that the Bartletts have received?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is done regarding a stakeout?

2. Who pulls up to Margery? Why?

3. What happens when Spenser arrives back at the Bartlett home?

4. What do Healy and Spenser do when they arrive at the stables?

5. Why does Susan call Spenser the following morning? What happens after that?

6. What do Healy, Trask, and Spenser discuss?

7. How does Trask react to Spenser's arrival? Why?

8. What happens after the man heads into the woods?

9. What does Spenser learn at the stable?

10. What does Spenser tell Susan about this case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Margery is known to "screw around."

Part 1) How is this hinted at early in the book?

Part 2) How does her behavior affect her family? Why might she act this way?

Part 3) Will she change now that her son has been returned? Why or why not? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Spenser and Susan grow close.

Part 1) Describe their first encounter. How does this foreshadow a developing intimate relationship?

Part 2) Why do they feel a connection? What causes this?

Part 3) Why does Spenser involve Susan in this case? Should he have involved her? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Susan and Spenser discuss Dr. Croft at the party.

Part 1) Why do they discuss him? What does this reveal about both Susan and Spenser?

Part 2) What does this reveal about Dr. Croft? How does help to explain what is later discovered about him?

Part 3) How are subtle details, such as this seemingly unimportant discussion, used as clues to solve the case?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,010 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample