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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 shift in the attitude of many jurors takes place during the debates in Act II about the case?
(a) They are more agitated because so much time is passing.
(b) They become more sober and thoughtful in discussing the issues.
(c) They withdraw and consider their own feelings.
(d) They become calmer and participate less in the discussion.

2. What source of information from the trial do the jurors use to help them estimate the time of the events surrounding the murder?
(a) The old man's diary.
(b) They get the dimensions of the old man's room from a diagram of the apartment building.
(c) The transcript of the old man's testimony.
(d) Photographs of the building.

3. Which two jurors are moved by the discovery that the old man would have taken longer than he said to move from his bed to the door after hearing the noise upstairs?
(a) The foreman and Juror Six.
(b) Jurors Ten and Twelve.
(c) The foreman and Juror Four.
(d) Jurors Two and Six.

4. What literary device is used by the writer to create a high level of interest in the play by presenting the strongly contending views of the jurors?
(a) Tension.
(b) Antithesis.
(c) Conflict.
(d) Dialogue.

5. Where was the old man witness when he saw the defendant running down the stairs?
(a) At his bedroom window.
(b) At his front door.
(c) At his kitchen window.
(d) At his bathroom window.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which two jurors are moved by the discovery about the timing involved in the old man's story?

2. What does Juror Nine observe about the old man witness, which leads to his insights about his life?

3. What important information about the jurors' behavior becomes evident during their deliberations in Act II?

4. As the jurors analyze the evidence and arguments more closely, it becomes evident that the dissenting voter is playing a critical role as an agent of change. Which of the following words best describes this role?

5. Which juror accuses the juror who is adamant that he will not see the defendant set free of wanting to be the defendant's executioner?

Short Essay Questions

1. How and why do the discussions of the old man and the alleged threats made by the defendant affect one of the jurors?

2. Referring to events in Act II, track the process by which Juror three is established as the antagonist.

3. How does the writer use the events of Act II to establish Juror Eight as the protagonist?

4. As the jurors assess whether the old man told the truth in his testimony, how does Juror Nine use his own life experience to provide insight into the old man's behavior?

5. There are two "physical episodes" in Act II. Describe them briefly and comment on the purposes they serve.

6. What evidence of preconceived notions and prejudice does the writer present in Act II?

7. How does the writer use Act II to establish Juror Three and Juror Eight as the antagonist and the protagonist respectively?

8. How do the tone and mood of the play vary as Act II develops from the result of the second vote to the taking of the third vote?

9. After the uproar following Juror three's accusation about which juror changes his vote in Act II, what do the jurors proceed to do?

10. How do the jurors seek to verify some of the old man's testimony?

(see the answer keys)

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