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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. What does Abbott say was the only serious crime he committed in free society?

2. What does Abbott say intelligence becomes if it is robbed of actual experience?

3. What happens to Abbott after twenty three days in the blackout cell?

4. What does Abbott say he finds painful and angering to look into?

5. What does Abbott say he can't control?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Abbott say the prisoners have in common?

2. What does Abbott say about his early life?

3. What does Abbott say about homosexuality in prison?

4. How did Abbot try to survive the starvation diet?

5. What was it like to be in the blackout cell?

6. What is the policeman mentality?

7. Why does Abbott say he continuously violates prison rules?

8. Why does Abbott say Pigs are so dangerous?

9. How does Abbott fight the tedium of solitary confinement?

10. Why does Abbott describe X's death as a mercy killing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who was Gary Gilmore and why does Abbott talk about him in his letters? Why does Abbott feel able to distance himself from Gilmore's crimes and beliefs?

Essay Topic 2

What does Abbott think is wrong with America? In what way could his views be described as limited? Is there any validity to his claims?

Essay Topic 3

What is Marx's view on capital punishment? What examples can you think of that either go against or back up his claim? What are your own opinions on capital punishment?

(see the answer keys)

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