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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. Lawyers appearing before the Supreme Court should present facts as opposed to ________________.

2. The Supreme Court Justices are aware that many of the cases they hear are the result of __________________.

3. What comment does George Mantz say that draws laughter from the Justices?

4. What "stupid answer" does Jacob give in response to a Justice?

5. What amazes Jacob about appearing in the Supreme Court?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is State Judge Walter V. Schaefer's reasoning on why the right to an attorney is greater than all other rights?

2. How could Gideon vs. Wainwright overthrow the Betts vs. Brady decision that was enacted just 20 years prior?

3. What is the premise of the Betts vs. Brady case in 1942?

4. How do Fortas and Jacob differ in their perceptions of Supreme Court procedure?

5. What could be the reason that the Supreme Court Justices selected Fortas to represent Gideon?

6. What does John Hart Ely discover about Florida cases while doing research for Gideon's Supreme Court case?

7. What embarrassing statement does Jacob make in dialogue regarding Gideon representing someone else in court?

8. What is the next step after the Supreme Court rules in Gideon's favor?

9. Before hearing Gideon's case, what are the Justices aware of regarding many of the cases they hear?

10. What form of support does Jacob get to help him defend the state position in the trial?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the book GIDEON'S TRUMPET when Gideon is clearly not a musician? Expand your thinking and provide the best answer you can think of.

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

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.

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This section contains 1,114 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample