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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What important fact does Juror Three point out about something the defendant purchased on the day of the murder?
(a) The defendant purchased a butcher knife similar to the murder weapon.
(b) The defendant purchased a knife identical to the murder weapon.
(c) The defendant purchased a pen knife that could have inflicted a fatal wound.
(d) The defendant purchased a dangerous knife.

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

3. What does the behavior of most of the jurors demonstrate about the decisions reached by juries?
(a) If at least one juror is reliable, the others can be influenced.
(b) They are always reliable.
(c) They might be affected by factors that have nothing to do with the evidence.
(d) They only reach verdicts after protracted arguments and conflict.

4. 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.

5. 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 suggest that he is inferior because he is from the ghetto.
(c) They say he is the only one and they will return a "hung jury" verdict.
(d) They suggest that he is not intelligent enough to understand the evidence.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the evidence, what weapon was used to kill the old man?

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

3. At what time of year does the jury in Twelve Angry Men meet to hear testimony and determine a verdict?

4. Based on the impact of their testimony on the jury, who are the two most important witnesses?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Juror Two states that the defendant is guilty because no one proved his innocence, the writer uses the opportunity to establish two important principles of due process. What are these principles and why does the writer have Juror Eight explain them?

2. How does Juror Eight respond to the evidence that Juror Three presents about the knife, and what dramatic turn of events does this cause?

3. On what point do Juror Eight and Juror Four agree concerning the performance of the defendant's lawyer? How do they differ?

4. What are the physical and personal concerns facing the jurors as they begin their deliberations?

5. What views do the jurors have about the defendant's background?

6. What important instructions does the judge give to the jurors as they depart to deliberate on the case?

7. What additional evidence that incriminates the defendant does Juror Three present to the jury in Act I?

8. What information does Juror Three present in an attempt to draw the jurors' attention to the "facts of the case"?

9. What is the defendant's alibi and how does Juror Four respond to it?

10. How do the jurors respond to the defendant's explanation of his purchase of the knife and the fact that he cannot produce it?

(see the answer keys)

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