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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 important information casts doubts on the eyewitness' story in the first discussion of the evidence?

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

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

4. According to one witness, where in the apartment building did the murder occur?

5. According to the defendant, why did he buy the alleged murder weapon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What clarification do the jurors receive about the conditions under which the woman is alleged to have seen the murder?

4. 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?

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

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

7. What is Juror Ten's contribution to the discussion of the evidence?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the view that "Twelve Angry Men" is a vehicle through which Reginald Rose vindicates rather than destroys the legitimacy of the jury system as a means of securing justice.

Essay Topic 2

How does Juror Nine become an ally of Juror Eight? Discuss the similarities and differences in the characters of these two jurors that account for the alliance that develops between them.

Essay Topic 3

There are several votes and changing of positions by individual jurors throughout the play. Discuss in detail the incidents in which jurors vote or change their votes and assess the impact which these incidents have on the dramatic quality of the play.

(see the answer keys)

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