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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. On the day before Carl Lee's preliminary hearing, Jake, knowing the grand jurors are not yet selected and will likely see this news broadcast on TV that evening, reminds interviewers of what?

2. How old is Tonya?

3. What is Tonya carrying when she is kidnapped?

4. How many murder trials has Jake Brigance served as the defense counsel prior to the preliminary hearing for Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard?

5. How does Carl Lee compare killing the white men who raped his daughter with killing the "gooks" in Vietnam?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do readers learn about Jake Brigance in Chapter 8?

2. What sort of a lawman is Sheriff Ozzie Walls?

3. Who does Billy Ray Cobb's brother, Freddie, approach in seeking revenge, and what is the result?

4. What sort of relationship exists between Sheriff Ozzie Walls and Jake Brigance?

5. Why does Judge Noose impose a gag order?

6. How does Jake skillfully manipulate the media immediately following Carl Lee's arraignment?

7. What are the positions taken by Jake and Carla when he suggests he will contact Lester, Carl Lee's brother, after the latter fires him?

8. Why does John Grisham open his story with such horrific detail of the crime?

9. What sort of a lawyer is Jake Brigance?

10. What observations on the part of Jake's secretary irritate him to the point he advises her to keep quiet or quit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is identified at "Mickey Mouse" in the Ku Klux Klan? What has this individual attempted to do secretly? Provide several examples of "Mickey Mouse's" success. When did "Mickey Mouse" fail?

Essay Topic 2

One theme that runs through "A Time to Kill" is deciding between the paths of right and wrong where risks are involved due to influence or threat of the KKK. Examine and compare how it is approached by Judge Noose, jury member Barry Acker, and Jake Brigance.

Essay Topic 3

When Freddie Cobb arrives at the Ku Klux Klan meeting in Nettles County, he attempts to gain their help in retaliation for his brother's murder. How do Klan members view Billy Ray's murder? How will they accomplish this? What is the outcome of their peaceful demonstration outside the Clanton Courthouse? Examine the KKK's actions in this story, as well as the consequences.

(see the answer keys)

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