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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 Marino's favorite hair color on a woman?

2. What does Scarpetta wear to preform the re-autopsy of Gilly Paulsson?

3. Who told Marino about Mr. Paulsson's involvement with the FBI?

4. What does Lucy do while she is upstairs in Kate's home?

5. Where did the neighbor see Henri the morning of the attack?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mrs. Paulsson's bathroom.

2. Why does Scarpetta tell Lucy she will be sorry for moving to Miami?

3. While interviewing Mrs. Paulsson, what does Dr. Scarpetta learn about Dr. Paulsson?

4. What does Lucy fabricate for her neighbor Kate?

5. What does Scarpetta notice about Marino in the beginning of chapter twenty-six that lets her know how hard Marino is taking things?

6. Describe the treasured items that Edgar Allen Pogue moved with.

7. Describe Dr. Marcus' behavior on Monday and Thursdays' of every week.

8. How does the visit go when Lucy goes to see her next door neighbor?

9. Describe what the Decomposed Room looks like.

10. What is the purpose of Guts Man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part 1) Is this story believable? Explain.

Part 2) Does a story being believable make it more enjoyable? Explain why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

The role of women and men in the story aren't always shown in typical ways in the story, such as Scarpetta and Lucy both having what could be thought of as jobs for men.

Part 1) In what other ways are gender issues shown or challeneged in the story?

Part 2) What other issues come up in the story although they don't necessarily pertain to the story? Explain how they are shown.

Essay Topic 3

Look at the family relationships seen in the story. Pick one of the following to write about.

Part 1) Describe what is known about the Paulsson family relationship. Was there any indication that Gilly's parents did or did not love her? Explain.

Part 2) Discuss the relationship between Scarpetta and Lucy. Is it possible that they will be able to reconcile their differences? Explain.

Part 3) Take a closer look at the family relationship between Pogue and his mother. What can be deducted about their relationship given Pogue's inner dialogue with his dead mother? What else can be gathered from Pogue that points to his family connections?

(see the answer keys)

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