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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many homeless people have allegedly been murdered in the tunnels in the last four months?
(a) Four.
(b) Sixteen.
(c) Two.
(d) Seven.

2. What shocking news does Frock give Margo in Chapter 22?
(a) That Margo's position at the Museum is in danger.
(b) That both of the river skeletons had been stolen.
(c) That Brambell was murdered the night before.
(d) That he is dying.

3. What does Smithback's informant say his name is?
(a) Mephisto.
(b) Goose.
(c) Trail Blazer.
(d) Tail Gunner.

4. What has Margo begun to carry in her purse?
(a) Lipstick.
(b) A pistol.
(c) An emergency credit card.
(d) Mace.

5. How does the pool secretary describe the clothing that Smithback's informant was wearing?
(a) Preppy.
(b) A shroud.
(c) Rags.
(d) Neat as a pin.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Snow looking for after a police shootout?

2. What nickname has Smitback given to Margo in Chapter 15?

3. Where is the Pitti Palace located?

4. What does Pendergast say is the largest inhabited region on earth that remains unmapped?

5. What is Snow preparing to do at the opening of Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Mephisto gives Smithback the nickname "scriblerian," what does he imply?

2. In Chapter 8, an unknown person develops extra sensitive senses, apparently by ingesting some unknown drug. What do you think is the purpose of this character's in-depth description and failing to tell the reader who he is?

3. To what does Dr. Frock attribute the Mbwun's existence and its unlikely appearance in New York?

4. What do you think is the author's purpose in describing Sergeant Hayward's physical characteristics in such detail?

5. What does Pendergast reveal about Hayward? How does Hayward feel about this revelation? How does D'Agosta feel about this revelation?

6. Why does Hayward say the tunnels are dangerous? Cite examples from the text.

7. What is the history of Mbwun, and why is it assumed that these killings might relate to the events surrounding this creature?

8. Why are the homeless referred to as "moles"?

9. Do you think Chief Horlocker's decision to make sure that the case is given priority because a debutante is based upon social standing, given that homeless men and women have died in the same way for weeks? Why or why not?

10. Why is there so much excitement surrounding the second skeleton found in the polluted Cloaca?

(see the answer keys)

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