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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. Who does Spenser find in his apartment when he arrives home?

2. Who does Spenser talk about with Susan?

3. Whose does Spenser visit after Pelletier?

4. What is Alexander being blackmailed with?

5. What drink does Spenser have with his lunch?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Wayne Cosgrove help Spenser?

2. What problems does Ronni prove she has in this section?

3. What do Paul and Spenser say about Sarah in this section?

4. Why is Spenser so sad at the end of the section?

5. What does Alexander say he plans to do if he can't find a way out of the blackmail?

6. Why do the Alexanders decide to hire Spenser?

7. What does Spenser do before he meets Cosgrove?

8. What does Spenser find out about Joe Broz in this section?

9. Why does Spenser say it is necessary to act aggressively towards Alexander in regards to his wife?

10. Why does Farrell say he needs a body guard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following and discuss how it affects the tone of the book and helps to express character and theme.

1. Setting

2. Point of view

3. Structure

4. Language

Essay Topic 2

How accurate do the students think is Robert B. Parker's representation of detective work? Why does Spenser make a good detective? How does he use the story and character to create his representation?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the book.

1. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2. Discuss elements of the narrative structure - exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 699 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample