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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. While Penn was still in high school, who often worked for the father of the girl Penn was involved with?

2. What is the name of Penn Cage's daughter?

3. How does the story initially describe Ray Presley?

4. Whom does Penn suggest Tom talk to about Tom's options regarding the blackmail?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. After Hanratty is convicted, what does Hanratty's brother do?

2. According to Penn's FBI contact, what reason was given for sealing Payton's case files?

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

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

5. When Penn sees Mackey at the fundraising party, why is Mackey angry with Penn?

6. When Penn first confronts his father about what's bothering his father, how does Tom react?

7. When Penn's mother confesses why she has been upset, why is Penn stunned by her news?

8. Why does Pinder tell Penn that he's going to pretend to have never met Penn?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story, there are several attempts on characters that either die or are killed.

a. Identify three characters that do not survive until the end of the novel. Describe each character and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

b. Compare and contrast the characters that do not survive. What does the author have to gain by killing these characters off? What, if anything, does the author lose?

c. How would the story have changed if one or more of your identified characters had survived?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses several different literary techniques as the story is told in regard to the story's flow. Describe the techniques of both flashbacks and foreshadowing. How are each of these techniques used in the story? Give specific examples of each technique. Why might the author have chosen to use both of these techniques in the story? Was the story enhanced by the use of these two techniques? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Dwight Stone and Penn Cage, the two men that find the truth regarding Del Payton's murder.

a. How are the two characters similar in terms of their professional lives? How are they different?

b. How are the two characters similar in their personality characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses? How are they different?

c. Each of these men has a daughter they want to protect, were the men similarly affected by this desire or not? Explain your answers and your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample