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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. In what year was Payton murdered?

2. As Chapter Five opens, to whom does Penn grant an interview?

3. Where are Penn and his daughter when Penn decides to move back to his hometown?

4. When the two women appear on Tom's doorstep, how do the women view Penn?

5. Who is Payton's widow?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Penn announces to his parents that he is moving back to his hometown, how do Penn's parents react?

2. Why does Penn decide to move back to his hometown?

3. When Penn asks his father if he ever found out the reason behind Marston's attack, what is Tom's reply?

4. Why did Presley return the gun he borrowed from Tom?

5. According to Sam Jacobs, what two things drive the Marston family?

6. When Penn first meets with the person he agrees to be interviewed by, why is Penn stunned?

7. When Tom questioned Presley about why he only returned one gun, not two, what did Presley say?

8. According to the story Penn tells during his interview, why was Payton murdered?

9. Why does Shad Johnson want Penn to leave the Payton case alone?

10. After hearing Presley's response about why Presley only returned one gun, not two, what does Tom believe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Penn is involved with two very different women. Compare and contrast the relationship Penn has with Caitlin and the relationship Penn has with Olivia. Then, compare and contrast these two women. How do these relationships influence not only Penn, but also the other people that are in his life?

Essay Topic 2

Leo Marston is a man who is supremely confident. Identify at least three instances from the story that highlight his confidence. How is Marston helped by his utter confidence? How is Marston hurt by his confidence? Provide examples of each.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast how the character of Penn Cage changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Penn's character when he is first introduced in the story, when he moves back to Natchez, when Althea asks for his help finding Del's murderer, when he meets with Stone for the second time, and when he returns to Disney World at the end of the story. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 678 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample