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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. What is "the burden of proof"?

2. How many days has the trial been going on when the jurors begin their deliberations?

3. After the knife discussion, how do the other jurors pressure the dissenting juror to make him change his vote?

4. Why is the murder weapon jammed into the wall?

5. How does the dissenting juror explain the defendant's record of violence?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the old man's testimony implicate the defendant?

2. What inconsistency in Juror Ten's arguments does Juror Eight point out, and what is the result?

3. What information do the jurors share about the defendant in the beginning of their discussion?

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

5. Why do the jurors take a vote before any discussion of the evidence, and what is the impact of the outcome?

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

7. What assumptions do the jurors make about Juror Eight's vote, and how do they decide to respond?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This play has been used to teach students about group behavior and the role of individual influence in group settings. What does the play have to offer as a representation of group behavior and the influence that individuals can have in group settings?

Essay Topic 2

Select one of the scenes in which the jurors stage an event or portion of testimony from the trial in order to verify details. Discuss in detail the contribution made by the selected scene to action, suspense, tension and conflict, or its resolution in the play.

Essay Topic 3

The play "Twelve angry Men" takes place almost exclusively in one setting - the jury room. What are the limitations caused by this single setting, and what techniques does the writer use to overcome such limitations?

(see the answer keys)

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