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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 many does does the opposing side on a case have to respond once a petition submitted to the Supreme Court?

2. In what city did Gideon commit his crime?

3. Why does the Florida Attorney General say Gideon did not have the right to counsel?

4. Who, other than the Justices, are included in behind closed door sessions when they consider which cases to hear?

5. What prior case had established the rules for assigning an attorney to a defendant.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What role has Gideon assumed while in prison regarding helping some of the other inmates?

3. What is the premise of GIDEON'S TRUMPET?

4. What does Fortas discover in Gideon's file regarding how he questioned witnesses and how an attorney would have been better able to manage?

5. What is Gideon's life like after he marries in 1955?

6. What is Gideon's mood as he heads into his Supreme Court trial?

7. What kind of power do the Supreme Court Justices have and how do some of them feel about it?

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

9. What is so unusual about Gideon's tenacity in preparing his petition to the Supreme Court?

10. What incriminating testimony had been provided by the prosecution's witness, Henry Cook, during Gideon's criminal trial?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

GIDEON'S TRUMPET is a story about succeeding against heavy odds. Explain how fortunate Gideon is to have been alive in 1962 instead of 1942. What ruling had been in place in Florida that would have kept Gideon in prison for his full sentence? Is Gideon even aware of his good fortune? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in Gideon's life. How did Gideon have to adapt to a lonely childhood and youth? What effect did that have on his future relationships? Could his inability to manage relationships be part of the cause of his marital failures and relationships with his children? Explain the impact that childhood distress can have on an adult many years later.

(see the answer keys)

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