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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What important facts are revealed about the circumstances of the defendant's life by the juror who votes "not guilty" in the first round of voting?
(a) He has had a difficult life in a ghetto without a father.
(b) He has had a difficult life in a ghetto; his mother is dead and his father has beaten him regularly.
(c) He has been in and out of prison for stealing cars.
(d) He is an orphan and member of a minority group.

2. In what way is the vote suggested by the dissenting voter different from the previous vote?
(a) The jurors vote by secret ballot.
(b) The jurors individually tell the foreman their decision.
(c) Each juror must give a reason for his vote.
(d) The foreman does not vote.

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

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

5. In what process does the defendant ask questions of the prosecution's witnesses?
(a) Reverse examination.
(b) Witness examination.
(c) Cross-examination.
(d) Defense examination.

6. What does Juror Ten point out about an eyewitness to the murder?
(a) A boy across the street saw through a window as the defendant killed his father.
(b) The neighbor down the corridor saw the defendant kill his father in the hallway.
(c) A man next door saw the defendant running away with blood on his hands.
(d) A woman who lives across the street saw the defendant kill his father.

7. After the knife discussion, how do the other jurors pressure the dissenting juror to make him change his vote?
(a) They suggest that he is on the side of law breakers.
(b) They say he is the only one and they will return a "hung jury" verdict.
(c) They suggest that he is inferior because he is from the ghetto.
(d) They suggest that he is not intelligent enough to understand the evidence.

8. Why is the murder weapon jammed into the wall?
(a) Because the table is cluttered.
(b) Because the juror who jams it there is angry.
(c) Because the foreman does not want it handled.
(d) So everyone can see how unusual it is.

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

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) "I hate you and I am going to kill you!"
(b) "You are the worst father and I wish you were dead!"
(c) "I'm gonna kill you!"
(d) "I hate you and I wish you were dead!"

11. How old was the defendant when he lost his mother?
(a) Six years old.
(b) Thirteen years old.
(c) Nine years old.
(d) Eleven years old.

12. What is a hung jury?
(a) One in which the jurors recommend hanging.
(b) One in which the jurors cannot reach a unanimous verdict.
(c) One in which the foreman cannot control the jurors.
(d) One in which the evidence is inconclusive.

13. What is the defendant's alibi?
(a) He claims to have been at the ball game.
(b) He claims to have been hanging out with his friends.
(c) He claims to have been at the store.
(d) He claims to have been at the movies.

14. What term used in Act 1 establishes that the defendant is thought to have committed a murder that is intentional and deliberately planned ahead of time?
(a) Second degree murder.
(b) Murder with malice aforethought.
(c) Manslaughter.
(d) First degree murder.

15. Who jams the murder weapon into the wall?
(a) Juror Eight.
(b) The foreman.
(c) Juror Nine.
(d) Juror four.

Short Answer Questions

1. What important fact does Juror Three point out about something the defendant purchased on the day of the murder?

2. Why was the alleged eyewitness awake at the time of the murder?

3. What is the reaction of the jury when the dissenting juror discredits the allegation that the weapon is unique?

4. How does the dissenting juror feel about the job done by the lawyer for the defendant?

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

(see the answer keys)

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