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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. How long does Griffin say he plans to stay at the house?

2. What is the name of the deputy sheriff who is onstage at the opening of the first act?

3. What name causes Bard to feel terror?

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

5. Why does Hank become melancholy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Carson and Bard do when after Robish is outside?

2. What does Griffin say that makes Hank angry?

3. What is Cindy doing when Dan and Eleanor are in their room?

4. Who knocks at the door of the Hilliard's house and what does he do?

5. What does Hank tell Griffin and what does Griffin try to do?

6. What type of classic theme is exhibited by the interpersonal dynamics in this play?

7. Why doesn't Dan want Robish back in the house?

8. Why do the criminals refuse money from Dan?

9. Why is Miss Swift upset about the Hilliard's house and what does Dan do about it?

10. What does Griffin do to Eleanor after she opens the door?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Near the end of Act 2, Carson calls Bard with the news that Hank has been shot and killed trying to steal a car with a gun registered to Dan Hilliard.

1. Do you feel any sympathy for Hank's death? Why do you think he put himself in a position to be killed? Or did he?

2. Do you think the police did everything possible to capture rather than kill Hank (especially in light of what Bard says near the opening of the play that he wishes he had killed Hank's brother when Bard had the chance)? Explain your thoughts on the situation.

3. Do you think most police would prefer to capture a suspect rather than kill him/her? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In drama, setting plays a little different role than in a novel or even a film. Most of the setting is limited because of the logistics of changing sets and the expense of creating very many different scenes. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. How do you think the rather limited setting of Desperate Hours affects the overall impact of the play?

2. Most of the action of the play takes place in the Hilliard's living room and upstairs. How would you maximize the creating of these two scenes for the most versatility and interest?

3. What other aspects of a play do you think is enhanced by limited setting? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

A literary technique called "foreshadowing" is seen several times. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Define what the literary technique of foreshadowing and cite several examples of it in the play Desperate Hours.

2. What are literary techniques? Name several of the most common and define them.

3. Take the literary techniques you define in question number 2 and give examples of their occurrence in this story or some other piece of literature or film.

4. Do you think authors intentionally plan to write in literary techniques such as foreshadowing? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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