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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 name causes Bard to feel terror?

2. What happens when Cindy goes inside her home?

3. What outrages Dan?

4. Who do the police hope will lead them to the men for whom they are searching?

5. Who tries to attack Robish?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Eleanor doing with Dan?

2. Who shows up at the house that night?

3. What does Griffin do at the Hilliard house that evening?

4. How does Dan feel and what does he say about Cindy?

5. What is it about the man at the door that puzzles Eleanor?

6. What does Carson tell Bard about Hank?

7. What do the police department do about their information?

8. What does Griffin want Dan and Cindy to do in the morning?

9. What happens to Dan when returning from picking up Griffin's money? How is Dan feeling at this point?

10. What does Carson tell Bard about his behavior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 2, Griffin completely loses his composure after Hank leaves and blames the Hilliards' comfortable life as the impetus for Hank's change of mind. Griffin especially blames Dan, who he likens to his own father with his domineering ways and strict rules. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Do you think the fact that Griffin blames the Hilliards for Hank leaving is just one aspect of his dysfunctional personality that leads him to prison? Discuss.

2. Many people, some criminal and other "normal" citizens often blame their parents for their problems. How much responsibility do parents have for the choices their children make as adults?

3. When is it time to stop blaming one's parents or upbringing for the mess one makes of one's own life?

Essay Topic 2

Chuck, Cindy's boyfriend, gets a gun and decides to sneak up on the house from the back and enter into the hostage situation. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Is it wise of Chuck to go into such a situation especially carrying a gun?

2. Why do you think Chuck thinks he would be of help? Is this a macho man act or is he motivated by his love for Cindy and by extension, her family?

3. Compare and contrast the actions of Chuck to those of Robish. Are these two classic examples of good and evil? Is anyone ever completely evil or completely good?

Essay Topic 3

The three convicts enter the Hilliard home and take Eleanor hostage. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Describe how Eleanor responds to the convicts' invasion. Do you think you would respond in a similar fashion? Why or why not?

2. Have you heard of a psychological response to a hostage situation called the "Stockholm Syndrome?" Research about this syndrome and then decide if you think the Hilliard family became that type of hostage. Why or why not?

3. Could Eleanor have done anything differently at the very beginning of this situation so that it did not escalate into a hostage situation? Do you think Eleanor's actions would be different now in the 21st century than when this situation occurs in the 1950s?

(see the answer keys)

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