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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 owns Fernly Park?

2. According to Mr. Poirot, Mr. Ackroyd wants Ralph to marry whom?

3. Mrs. Ackroyd's son's name from a previous marriage is?

4. Caroline gives Poirot what?

5. Who arrives during Poirot's questioning about the stranger?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Intelligence Corps and what role does it play, in Chapter One?

2. What does James learn from his trip to see Ralph, in Chapter Three?

3. Describe the relationship between Miss Russell, Mr. Ackroyd, and Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd.

4. What important clue is found by Poirot in the pond, and what initial was inscribed on it?

5. Describe the mysterious conversation Caroline hears between Ralph and a girl in the woods, in Chapter Three.

6. Describe the discussion between James and Officer Davis, in Chapter Six.

7. All evidence is beginning to point to Ralph as the possible blackmailer, including what?

8. Explain why James does not want to go with Flora to see Poirot, in Chapter Seven.

9. Describe what Mr. Ackroyd confides to James, in Chapter Four.

10. Using the information in Chapter Two, describe the supposed relationship between Mr. Ackroyd and Mrs. Ferrars. Why were they close?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At what point in time does Poirot seem to suspect that Ralph and Ursula may have secretly married? Did you reach the same conclusion at the same time? Explain why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Describe how Poirot finally found out that James was the killer for certain. How did he confront James about it? What was James' reaction? What option did Poirot give? How did things end up? What were both mens' motivations for their actions at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the relationship between James and his sister, Caroline, as it progresses throughout the book. How do they feel about each other?

(see the answer keys)

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