View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of a small Italian restaurant?

2. Where is the bank located?

3. Whose death was mistakenly ruled a suicide?

4. What is the name of Marco's tutor?

5. Who receives a tip about a foreign bank account?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the government send Backman? Who is Backman's "handler?"

2. What does Backman do shortly after arriving in Treviso?

3. Explain Backman's opinion of the first day in Bologna. What does he do?

4. At this point in the story what is the general structure of Backman's average day? What things does he do daily?

5. Why is there tension between Backman and Ermanno? What is Backman's demand?

6. Why does Maynard want Morgan to pardon Joel Backman? Who is Joel Backman?

7. What are the President's immediate plans after leaving office? What are the opinions of his wife and others regarding these plans?

8. Discuss the meeting between Backman and Rudolph. Why does Backman trust Rudolph?

9. Why is the CIA worried that Backman might attempt to contact his family? What precautions are taken in case Backman should try to get in contact with someone?

10. Why does Backman go shopping? Why does he have to have permission from Luigi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joel and Neal Backman are both ambitious lawyers although Joel took a chance that landed him in prison for 20 years while Neal managed to get his life in order after the scandal died down. Compare and contrast Joel and Neal Backman. Which is the most honest? Which is the smartest? What are the biggest differences? Do you think Neal wants to be more or less like his father? How does Lisa view the relationship? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Grisham examines the existence of JAM, a program designed to block transmissions to and from satellites in space. Discuss JAM. Do you think it exists? If so, where and how is it used? Who uses it? If it does not exist, how long do you think it might take to develop such a system? Technologically speaking, who is most likely to create and develop this type of program? Research the internet for information on this type of product. Write about the information found. Also discuss what Grisham's current opinion might be on this topic.

Essay Topic 3

The government chooses to send Backman to Treviso as part of the deal. Why Treviso? Why Italy? What are Backman's thoughts? What are Backman's preferred locations? What must Backman do to prepare for the trip? Why does Backman have to learn to speak Italian? Wouldn't it be easier to go to an English speaking region or country? Describe in detail Backman's safe houses in Italy and how he is able to adapt to the surroundings. Also discuss Backman's struggles to learn the language and Luigi's efforts to help Backman acclimate to the new environment.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,016 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample