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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. Who is Samantha's heir?

2. Who is at a family barbecue when he is called to the scene when Mallory is putting Markowitz's wedding ring back on his finger?

3. Where does Samantha's heir meet Coffey and Riker?

4. Who is Siddon terrified of in New York?

5. What is the name of the play at the theater?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Kaplan and Mallory interact at the crime scene?

2. Why does a dog jump out the window in the prologue?

3. When Margot cannot get into her apartment, how does she reveal her desperation in her subsequent acts?

4. Why does Margot go to the bank?

5. Why does Margot stab a man in the subway?

6. What is shocking about Mallory's discovery about her father dancing?

7. When Mallory tells Butler about the seance, what conclusions does he draw about people and information?

8. Why does Mallory run out screaming from the seance?

9. How does Butler handle Mrs. Pickering request for help and her doubts about her mother's pet medium?

10. Despite what limitations does Butler like Cathery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Describe some of the settings for the book. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did O'Connell choose to use these places in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Both Mallory and Butler are important characters.

Part 1) Compare Mallory to Butler. How are these two characters similar and how are they different?

Part 2) What psychological purpose or insight does Mallory offer? Elaborate on this.

Part 3) Mallory offers to examine the past of the murder suspects. What is implied in this decision and how does it reveal that the murder motive is connected to the past of the murderer and not the present circumstances alone?

(see the answer keys)

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