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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. Where was the item found?

2. Which is a questionable issue between Rachel and Jack?

3. Which of the following is not informed of the story before it hits the general population?

4. What is the name of the program once supported by Gladden and one of the victims?

5. Gladden reveals important information about himself in this section. The reader learns that Gladden has been:

Short Essay Questions

1. The Poet continues to use obscure quotes to taunt the agents. Discuss the Poet's reference to the rental car.

2. What is learned about Gladden through his attorney? How does Thorson react? What is the result of the confrontation?

3. What do Backus, Jack and the agents discuss at the meeting? What vital piece of information is uncovered?

4. How had the sixth case stumped Jack? Why was the murder in Florida different from all the others?

5. What is Gladden's plan for finding a place to hide out? What action does the plan require?

6. What information is uncovered when Rachel and Jack go to Phoenix? Why is it obvious that the latest victim did not commit suicide?

7. What does Jack learn about Gladden? What is the possible connection to the first victim?

8. How does Detective Thomas fit into the story? What is the link to Gladden?

9. Discuss the information received by Jack regarding Horace Gomble. What is a possible connection between Gomble and the Poet?

10. What happens when Jack arrives at the LAPD?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What was Jack's first clue that the police suicides were connected? What type of investigation was started by Jack? What caused him to start a nationwide search? Where did the investigation lead? What were the most important things learned by Jack and the FBI?

Essay Topic 2

Would the story have had a different impact if the killer had used quotes from another poet? What other kinds of clues might the killer decide to leave at the scene of the crime? Discuss well known cases in which the killer left obvious or cryptic clues. Were the clues ever deciphered? Did the clues help to solve the case?

Essay Topic 3

Often times in a sensational case, the media will interfere with the investigation. Discuss how the media was handled in the case of the Poet. Why did Sean and the other cops act "as if they felt no obligation to talk to the public at all?" Why did the media take it upon itself to conduct its own investigation? What did the author mean when he stated that the media was responsible for "numbing the reading and television-watching public with sordid details about the victim's life that actually had nothing to do with anything?"

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This section contains 871 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample