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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. When was Mr. Nesbitt's gun registered?

2. In his journal after the jury has begun deliberating, what kind of instruments does Steve say he is going to put in the background of the movie?

3. What does Steve say about the pictures of Mr. Nesbitt?

4. What have some people in Steve's neighborhood told his mother about Steve's lawyer?

5. Why does Moore say she was not working the day Bobo came to see her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the visual image of the courtroom just before Steve's verdict is read represented?

2. What is the visitors' room like?

3. What is Briggs' objection to what Bobo is wearing when he testifies?

4. What does Henry mean in the pretrial questioning when she says she is having trouble testifying that King was involved in the crime?

5. Why is Ms. Moore not at work the day King came to see her?

6. What does O'Brien say about Petrocelli's bringing the crime scene photos out again just before the long weekend recess?

7. What happens when Steve is made to mop the floor?

8. How does the medical examiner say Mr. Nesbitt died?

9. What does Steve realize about why there are so many fights in prison after church on Sunday, July 12?

10. Why was Lorelle Henry in the pharmacy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using specific textual examples, describe and contextualize the way Walter Dean Myers uses the word "monster" in this book. Be sure to consider how the author means it literally as well as metaphorically or symbolically, and be sure to discuss to which character(s) this word applies.

Essay Topic 2

This story relies not only on journal entries, but also on scenes from a screenplay to establish plot, setting, characterization, action, and other fictional elements. Write an analytical essay explaining how Walter Dean Myers establishes Steve's point-of-view in these screenplay scenes. In addition, be sure to include detailed analyses of how this specific point-of-view effectively communicates fictional elements including, but not limited to plot, setting, or characterization.

Essay Topic 3

The narrative style of this novel is rather unique. Write an analytical essay that describes and analyzes the particular method Walter Dean Myers uses in Steve's journal entries to establish and communicate this point-of-view. In addition, what are the narrative benefits of such a point-of-view? How do these journal entries most effectively tell those parts of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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