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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 happens when Cindy goes inside her home?

2. With what does Griffin gain Dan and Cindy's cooperation?

3. What does Eleanor do after the house is empty of others?

4. Where is a getaway car hidden?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Griffin upset about Robish and Hank?

2. What does Dan do after Robish opens the front door?

3. What does Dan convince the police to do?

4. What happens when Cindy arrives home after her date with Chuck?

5. While the convicts inside the house are arguing what does Chuck do?

6. What does Griffin order Eleanor and Cindy to do after everyone is home?

7. How does Bard feel after he kills Griffin and how does Carson respond?

8. What gives the sheriff's office a clue about the convicts?

9. What does Griffin tell Helen when she calls?

10. What is happening at the home of Dan and Eleanor Hilliard with their oldest child at the opening of the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Desperate Hours belongs to the genre of drama. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. What do you think is the definition of drama? Write out your definition and then look up the definition in a literary dictionary. How similar are the two definitions?

2. Drama is written with the intention that it will be performed. How do you think this influences the manner in which the plot unfolds, the dialogue, the set complexity, the number of characters, and the length?

3. Compare Desperate Hours to a short story, such as "A Good Man is Hard to Find," by Flannery O'Conner. What are the differences? The similarities? Which do you enjoy reading the most?

Essay Topic 2

Tensions begin to mount halfway through Act 2, and Griffin seems to be losing control of the other two convicts. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Do you think the other two men had originally decided that Griffin was their leader? How do you think it was determined who took charge?

2. Who is in charge of the Hilliard family? Why do you think this is so? Do you think the dynamics of the family would be different in the 21st century? Would the same person still be in charge?

3. Who else in the book seems to demonstrate leadership qualities besides Dan and Glen? Does anyone?

Essay Topic 3

In Act 1, when Dan arrives home and realizes the situation, Griffin tells Dan that they only need to hide until midnight, and then they will be gone. Dan tries to offer the criminals money to leave, but they are fixed on waiting for the money from Helen so that they can get away to Louisville. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Why do you think the criminals insist on waiting for the money from Helen if Dan offers them enough money to be able to leave?

2. Why do you think Helen is willing to bring the convicts money when if she is caught, she will likely go to prison herself? Do you think Griffin really loves Helen if he would put her in that position?

3. Do you think the convicts are realistic in thinking that Helen will actually make it to the house without being watched and they will all be able to peaceably leave the Hilliard home? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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