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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What sentence did Gideon receive in his first trial?
(a) Maximum of five years in prison.
(b) Minimum of five years in prison.
(c) Probation and time served.
(d) A life sentence.

2. What does Gideon tell his attorney is the primary reason he needs to get out of jail?
(a) To show his innocence.
(b) To make arrangements for his children.
(c) To get a job.
(d) To have surgery.

3. What does each Supreme Court justice receive regarding petitioners' requests?
(a) A copy of the trial brief.
(b) A copy of the request and any response.
(c) A copy of the opposing response.
(d) A copy of the trial transcript.

4. The Supreme Court is bound not so much by laws as by the trends and ____________ of the Justices who serve.
(a) Ideals.
(b) Ideas.
(c) Opinions.
(d) Prejudices.

5. What role does Gideon take on in helping other inmates?
(a) Doctor.
(b) Psychiatrist.
(c) Legal expert.
(d) Godfather.

6. What does Henry Cook state that Gideon had in his hand when he saw him on the morning of June 3?
(a) A bottle of wine.
(b) A knife.
(c) A pizza.
(d) A gun.

7. What is Gideon's job in prison?
(a) Cook.
(b) Trusty.
(c) Janitor.
(d) Electrician.

8. Who did Gideon marry in 1955?
(a) Velma Cooper.
(b) Connie Martin.
(c) Louise Cooper.
(d) Doris Clawson.

9. What would happen to the appeals process if Gideon's appeal is approved?
(a) All state courts will be impacted.
(b) He will be a free man.
(c) It will be easier to get a case to the Supreme Court.
(d) It will be even harder to appeal.

10. Henry Cook states that at the poolroom, the front was off the cigarette machine and ___________________.
(a) The moneybox was empty.
(b) All the chairs and tables were tipped over.
(c) The door lock was cut with bolt cutters.
(d) There were gunshots in the walls.

11. Abe Fortas learns that the ______________________ of Gideon's first trial was/were not recorded.
(a) Judge's ruling.
(b) Witness statements.
(c) Verdict.
(d) Opening and closing arguments.

12. Why was Gideon in the hospital during this time?
(a) He had pneumonia.
(b) He was in a car accident.
(c) He had gallbladder surgery.
(d) He had A-typical tuberculosis.

13. In Gideon's reply to the Florida Attorney General's document, Gideon states that he can't cite laws such as the Florida Attorney General has, but that he "_____________________________."
(a) Knows there are many of them.
(b) Is trying to learn the best he can.
(c) Has good intentions.
(d) But he will look them up if it takes forever.

14. How many law clerks are available to assist the Supreme Court Justices?
(a) 20.
(b) 8.
(c) 18.
(d) 12.

15. The Supreme Court always seems to take the word of the person who claims _______________.
(a) Insanity.
(b) Youth.
(c) Indigence.
(d) Innocence.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is the U.S. Supreme Court located?

2. How many justices sit on the Supreme Court?

3. Other than Gideon, who is the only person who could have filed Gideon's petition to the Supreme Court?

4. What is the only thing Gideon's landlady testifies to when Gideon questions her?

5. What does the judge in Gideon's first trial neglect to tell Gideon?

(see the answer keys)

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