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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 was Catherine's nickname in college?

2. What does Catherine pass on her way to the tenant shack at the beginning of the novel?

3. Where does Tom live?

4. Who does Catherine tell the sheriff she saw on her way out to the tenant shack?

5. Who is Molly Perkins?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Catherine notice about Carl Perkins' appearance in Chapter 9? What does she assume it has to do with?

2. Describe the last time that Catherine talked to Leona Gaites, as she explains it to Sheriff Galton.

3. Why does Catherine become suspicious of everyone in town in Chapter 10? What does this tell us about her at this point in the novel?

4. Is Sheriff Galton suspicious of Catherine? Why would he be suspicious of her? What is his advice for her?

5. From the descriptions in Chapter 1, describe where this novel is taking place.

6. Who does Catherine receive a call from while she is on her lunch break on Tuesday? What does this person accuse Catherine of and what is her response?

7. What does Catherine decide to do after making her discovery in the tenant house? Does her emotional state deter her?

8. What is the procedure at the crime scene as explained by Sheriff Galton?

9. Describe the discovery of Tom's body. What is Catherine's reaction and her emotional state? Who else is in Tom's house and why?

10. Who is interested in Tom Mascalco? Why does this person confide in Catherine? What is this person's reaction to Catherine and Tom's friendship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Just as there are main characters interacting with Catherine in the novel, there are a peppering of minor characters that play a role in the novel's development. Discuss the minor characters and their place in the development of the story. Include in your discussion the characters of Betty Eakins, Martin Barnes, Jewel Crenna, Leila Masham and Salton Sims.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of secrets is a very prevalent and recurring theme in the novel. Identify how this theme is used citing examples from the novel. Why is this theme an important one in the novel? How do the secrets of the townspeople add to the plot of the novel? Why do the people of Lowfield so readily tell their secrets to Catherine? How does she react to these secrets?

Essay Topic 3

Suspicion is an important element in a murder mystery, and it is definitely present in the novel, "Sweet and Deadly." Describe how suspicion is present in the novel. Who suspects Catherine of committing the crimes and why? Who does Catherine suspect (even minor suspicion) in the novel and why? How does this suspicion affect the characters and their relationships with one another?

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