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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. Why does Gideon say he needs to get out of prison?

2. The Supreme Court always seems to take the word of the person who claims _______________.

3. What is Gideon's job in prison?

4. How many Supreme Court decisions has Gideon read?

5. What legislation gives the Supreme Court Justices the freedom to decide which cases they will hear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What major inadequacies does Fortas discover in the transcripts of Gideon's criminal trial?

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

3. How many Supreme Court Justices are there and how large is their support staff?

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

5. What is meant by federalism and how could Gideon's Supreme Court case impact it?

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

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

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

9. What compensation does an attorney representing a client in a Supreme Court case get?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of hope. Identify at least two themes about hope in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 2

What is the point of view of the book? What are the benefits and the limitations to this particular point of view? Explain how the book would have changed if it had been written by one of the attorneys or even Gideon himself.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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