View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. After being threatened by Marsharfsky, Jake does what?

2. How do the members of the council of black ministers arrive for strategic planning regarding the NAACP defense of Carl Lee?

3. How much has Jake been paid by Lester Hailey prior to the indictment?

4. What happens when Jake calls Lester in Chicago?

5. What does Carl Lee Hailey feel his chances are, now that he has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader learn in the dialogue between Carl Lee Hailey and Jake Brigance in Chapter 4?

2. Who does Billy Ray Cobb's brother, Freddie, approach in seeking revenge, and what is the result?

3. What illegal methods does Ozzie employ to gain information from the suspected bomber?

4. What observations on the part of Jake's secretary irritate him to the point he advises her to keep quiet or quit?

5. What are some of the efforts made in Clanton in preparation for the trial?

6. How are the key characters depicted as selfish and self-centered in Chapter 24?

7. What sort of relationship exists between Sheriff Ozzie Walls and Jake Brigance?

8. How does Jake skillfully manipulate the media immediately following Carl Lee's arraignment?

9. What transpires between Carl Lee and Deputy Looney while the latter is still hospitalized, and how does Jake respond?

10. Why does a convoy of buses enter Clanton?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Once the Ku Klux Klan identifies and kills "Mickey Mouse," they no longer have to worry about being "snitched" on. They now are free to roam and wreak havoc without being reported on. Yet there are signs the KKK plans to permanently leave the county. What are these signs? Why do they not stay when they no longer have a "snitch" amongst the KKK brethren? Are there differences between Ford County from Nettles County that are possibly prompting their departure?

Essay Topic 2

Ellen Roark and Harry Rex perform legal support functions for Jake Brigance. Identify and compare these functions. How are they similar? How are they different? At what times does Jake rely on these legal support services, and when does he operate without them?

Essay Topic 3

The story is staged around a murder trial where a number of the key characters are attorneys. The author, John Grisham, is himself an attorney. How does he use his legal expertise in writing "A Time to Kill"? How is it reflected in the depiction of legal maneuvering, selection of the jury, legal and illegal tactics, use of associates for research in preparing for court, courtroom styles, actions in the judge's chambers, and other judicial aspects?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,285 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample