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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. As a general rule, the Justices' decisions follow ______________ of what's most important in the judicial system.

2. What would a lawyer have followed up on regarding Henry Cook's testimony but Gideon didn't know to do?

3. Among the most important concepts for the Justices is the determination of _________________.

4. Gideon writes a letter of ____________ pages to Abe Fortas to tell him what really happened.

5. The Supreme Court had ruled that a person is not criminally responsible for his actions if he ______________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Do the Supreme Court Justices get to decide which cases they will hear?

2. What is the famous 1940s case whose precedent denied Gideon an attorney at his criminal trial?

3. Describe some of Gideon's bad childhood experiences.

4. Why is it relevant that Fortas wants to know if Gideon is a Negro?

5. For what crime is Gideon serving time in a Florida prison?

6. How does Fortas learn more about Gideon during the months after he is appointed to represent him?

7. How does Fortas get the information he needs about Gideon's previous trial?

8. What is the nature of Gideon's petition to the Supreme Court?

9. What is the famous case by which assigning attorneys to defendants is determined?

10. What issue has been on the minds of the Justices lately that gives Gideon's petition some extra attention?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall settings for the story. What is important about each setting as it is revealed? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the people?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Bruce Jacob. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What is his primary motivation?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of indigent men with diminished intelligence in the South in the 1960s. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? Do they have any freedoms that 21st century men do not have?

(see the answer keys)

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