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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. At the time of Neal's questioning of Andy in front of the grand jury, what position does Neal hold?

2. What change does Andy NOT make to his running routine once Jacob is indicted for murder?

3. Laurie's college notebook had symbolized what fact to Andy at the time?

4. The epigraph at the start of Part One is from which text?

5. What condition causes Neal to have to try to force his mouth closed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What major realization about life does Andy describe arriving at as a result of meeting Laurie in college?

2. How is the motif of dreams and visions present within Chapter 3?

3. What qualities of Jonathan Klein's does Andy find reassuring?

4. What is Jacob's explanation for the most damning clue in the murder case?

5. In relation to Ben's murder, when does Andy testify in front of the grand jury?

6. How does William Landay use the changed relationship between Andy and Duffy to indicate Andy's profound sense of isolation following Jacob's indictment for murder?

7. What job does Andy hold at the time of Ben's murder, and how is he involved in the homicide response?

8. Discuss one statement that Andy makes under oath and then names as a deception to the reader.

9. How is the theme of deception depicted within Andy's conversation with Sarah in Chapter 5?

10. Who is Duffy and how does Andy feel about him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the shocking and unexpected ending of William Landay's novel Defending Jacob. What are the author's intentions for the ending's effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Study carefully the way in which William Landay builds the character of Andy over the course of the novel in a way that gradually reveals his true nature to the reader. Write an analysis of the author's characterization methods regarding Andy and discuss his purpose for these character choices.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the many instances of irony within the novel's narrative and analyze the author's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

(see the answer keys)

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