View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. With what does Griffin threaten Cindy if she tries to escape?

2. What is in place to apprehend the suspect(s)?

3. Who tries to attack Robish?

4. What does Griffin tell Cindy?

5. When Dan makes a threat about getting a gun and using it, what is Griffin's response?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Carson tell Dan the police will do after Dan returns to his house?

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

4. What do the police know about Flick and what does Bard order?

5. How does the atmosphere at the Indianapolis sheriff's department appear at the beginning of the play and what changes that?

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

7. What makes Jesse Bard scared about the report Winston is reading the first morning at the sheriff's department?

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

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

10. What does Hank do when Cindy tries to move?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Cindy first arrives home after the three convicts have taken control of the home, she realizes the situation and almost runs, but Griffin stops her with the threat that he will kill Eleanor if Cindy tries to leave. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Would you run or stay if you were Cindy? Consider that it is possible the convicts would kill you along with your mother no matter what they say. Explain your rationale.

2. If you were Eleanor, would you want your daughter to run, even if it means your death? Explain.

3. Later in the story, the young boy of the household, Ralphie, does try to leave, though he is caught by Robish. Why do you think Ralphie tries to run; whereas, Cindy decides to enter the house and voluntarily become a hostage?

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)

This section contains 1,002 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample