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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 is the alley called that runs behind the building where Lula lived?

2. What is the code that Derrick Wilson relates to Strike for the door to the apartment building prior to Lula's death?

3. What is John Bristow's profession?

4. Who is Robin Ellacott's fiance?

5. How tall is Strike?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Eric Wardle tell Strike about the CCTV tape in Part 2, Chapter 10?

2. Why are John Bristow's responses to Strike regarding Lula's friend from the mental hospital significant in Part 2, Chapter 9?

3. Who is Freddy Bestigui?

4. What injury has Strike sustained? How did he get this injury? Is the injury obvious?

5. What information does Robin relate from her research on Marlene Higson in Part 2, Chapter 1?

6. What information does Strike seek from Robin during his meeting with John Bristow in Part 1, Chapter 3? What information does she remit to him?

7. What are John Bristow's opinions on Evan Duffield?

8. How is Robin Ellacott described when she is introduced in Part 1, Chapter 1?

9. What conflicts begin to arise between Robin and Matthew in Part 2, Chapter 3?

10. What did Derrick Wilson do once he was informed of Lula's fall on the night she died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is the sole witness to Lula's fall? Why is this witness discredited by the police? What information does Strike learn from this character? What lies does he reveal she has given? Why did she lie?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of family, deception, and pop culture in The Cuckoo's Calling. How does the author develop these themes through character in the novel? What symbolism relates to these themes? What statements do you think the author is making through these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following elements of symbolism in the narrative: Robin's engagement ring, Strike's prosthetic leg, and Strike's sleeping cot. What does each of these items represent to the characters in the novel? What do they represent to the reader? How do they contribute to the novel's themes?

(see the answer keys)

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