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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 does the screenplay describe the last image of Steve just after his verdict is read?

2. On Tuesday, July 14, after Bobo's testimony, Steve says he can understand what about the prison guards?

3. In which prison or jail is Bobo serving time?

4. What does "doing a calendar" in prison mean?

5. What is King's verdict?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why was Lorelle Henry in the pharmacy?

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

4. What has O'Brien asked Steve to do when his response is to write down Mr. Sawicki's name twice?

5. Why did King visit Ms. Moore on the day of the crime?

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

7. What is the visitors' room like?

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

9. Who owns thel gun used in the crime, and is it a legal gun?

10. Describe the type of music Steve writes in his journal on July 17th that he is going to put on the soundtrack of his film.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steve and King are very different people on trial for the same crime. Write an essay comparing and contrasting these two characters. Be sure to include both examples and details of what they look like, who they are, how they behave, etc., as well as an analysis of the strategies Walter Dean Myers employed to achieve these two different characters.

Essay Topic 2

This novel features a family where there are two parents, yet somehow Steve still managed to get into trouble. Analyze the roles Steve's parents play in his life, including before, during, and after prison. What characterizes his relationship with his parents? What responsibility do they have for him getting in trouble (if any) and what are the ways in which they tried to help him out of trouble?

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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