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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does the old man who testifies for the prosecution live?
(a) On the second floor of the apartment building where the murder occured.
(b) On the same floor where the murder occurred.
(c) Across the street.
(d) On the ground floor.

2. According to the defendant, why did he buy the alleged murder weapon?
(a) To give it as a present to his friend.
(b) Because he lost the one he had before.
(c) Because the one he had before was stolen.
(d) Because his father beat him.

3. Why does the dissenting juror insist they should spend time examining the evidence in detail?
(a) He believes the witnesses are unreliable.
(b) He believes that the defendant is innocent.
(c) He believes the presentation of the case is prejudiced.
(d) He is not certain that the defendant is guilty.

4. What is the setting in which the reader first meets the twelve characters who give the play its name?
(a) The bus in which the jurors are being transported to court.
(b) The murder scene.
(c) The court room.
(d) The jury room in a New York court.

5. At what time is the murder alleged to have occurred?
(a) Around midday.
(b) In the afternoon.
(c) Early in the morning.
(d) Just after midnight.

6. Why do the jurors take a vote before discussing the evidence?
(a) So they can leave quickly.
(b) The judge instructs them to do so.
(c) The verdict is obvious.
(d) To get an early indication of where they stand on the verdict

7. Apart from the defendant, who was arrested for handling a weapon?
(a) The storekeeper who sold the defendant a weapon.
(b) The witness who took the weapon until the police arrived.
(c) Juror Eight.
(d) The friend of the defendant.

8. At what age was the defendant in reform school?
(a) Fourteen.
(b) Fifteen.
(c) Sixteen.
(d) Thirteen.

9. How does the prosecution help to establish for the jury that the eyewitness was in a position to see the murder?
(a) The jury is taken to the home of the eyewitness to observe the conditions under which the murder was witnessed.
(b) They show a videotape illustrating how the murder could have been seen.
(c) They present other witnesses who say the same thing.
(d) They provide pictures of the apartment and the surroundings.

10. According to one of the witnesses, what was the defendant alleged to have shouted out to his father on the night of the murder?
(a) "You are the worst father and I wish you were dead!"
(b) "I hate you and I wish you were dead!"
(c) "I hate you and I am going to kill you!"
(d) "I'm gonna kill you!"

11. Before the jurors depart for the jury room, who gives them final instructions?
(a) The judge.
(b) The prosecution.
(c) The foreman.
(d) The defense.

12. How does the dissenting juror feel about the job done by the lawyer for the defendant?
(a) He believes the lawyer was ill-prepared for the defense.
(b) He believes the lawyer did a good job.
(c) He believes the lawyer was intimidated by the prosecution.
(d) He is dissatisfied with the questions asked by the lawyer.

13. After eleven jurors vote "guilty" and one juror votes "not guilty", what process do the jurors decide on in order to resolve the matter?
(a) They decide to take in a verdict of "undecided".
(b) They decide to re-examine the evidence.
(c) They decide that the eleven men should each take a turn to explain to the dissenting juror why he is wrong.
(d) They decide to separate into two groups and discuss different aspects of the evidence.

14. What is the reaction of the jury when the dissenting juror discredits the allegation that the weapon is unique?
(a) They claim he is a criminal just like the defendant.
(b) They are astonished and one says that it is illegal to purchase such things.
(c) They are enlightened.
(d) They begin to fight him.

15. According to one witness, where in the apartment building did the murder occur?
(a) On the landing.
(b) On the staircase.
(c) Downstairs.
(d) Upstairs.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the jurors comment that they all had difficult lives, so a difficult life should not explain the defendant's history of violence?

2. How does the dissenting juror discredit the allegation that the murder weapon is unique?

3. Which words suggest that the defendant should not have to prove his innocence?

4. Why does the dissenting juror challenge the fact that other jurors are willing to take the alleged eyewitness' word when they would not accept the defendant's word?

5. Apart from the action of the dissenting juror in Act 1, what other contributions from a juror suggest there is at least one other juror willing to stand up against the behavior of others?

(see the answer keys)

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