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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 duty did MacQueen perform for Ratchett before going to bed?

2. Who is Princess Dragomiroff?

3. When was the last time Masterman saw Ratchett?

4. What crime did Cassetti commit?

5. What item does Poirot request from the conductor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What item was found that backed up Mrs. Hubbard's story?

2. What was the important information Mrs. Hubbard had to share with a person in authority?

3. What items did Poirot collect for examination?

4. How does Bouc describe Michel?

5. What is Ratchett's reaction when he realizes that Poirot is now his neighbor?

6. What is Ratchett's purpose for wanting protection from Poirot?

7. Why does the train stop in Belgrade?

8. Why was Ratchett's response considered to be strange?

9. What is mysterious about the berth in which Ratchett is murdered?

10. What is Poirot's reaction to Ratchett?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the most telling clues in the case was that Ratchett was stabbed 12 times. Do you think the number was a metaphor for the number of people on a jury? Who do you think delivered the fatal blow(s)? Would the number of murderers been evident if all wounds were inflicted at the same height or using the same hand (right or left)?

Essay Topic 2

MacQueen presented an odd manner when discussing Ratchett/Cassetti. At first MacQueen seemed pleased to have the job but eventually admits that he did not like Ratchett/Cassetti. MacQueen also states that he believes that Ratchett was an alias and that the man was on the run. Finally, MacQueen kept repeating the fact that Ratchett did not speak French but MacQueen did. Explain these behaviors and how they were detrimental to the murderers' plan.

Essay Topic 3

At one point in the story, M. Bouc minimalizes the fact that there has been a murder. Instead, Bouc becomes more concerned with the fact that the murder happened on his company's train. Explain Bouc's thoughts and if the thoughts were realistic? How could the murder affect the Orient Express? Would it affect the reputation of the train or simply deter people for a short time? How might the murder affect Bouc's career?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 512 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample