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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 reaction to the press conference?

2. How long does the preliminary hearing for Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard last?

3. The Hailey indictment is not mentioned on TV until a brief 10:00 p.m. news segment, so what is Jake's response?

4. Where does Ellen sleep after the jury strategy session is over and Jake is followed home by Deputy Nesbit?

5. According to Judge Noose, what is the largest media problem?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Carl Lee reluctant to rehire Jake?

2. How does Rufus Buckley make use of the illegally-obtained jury list?

3. In Chapter 10, what does Lucien advise Jake his best courses of action are in Carl Lee's defense?

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

5. How does John Grisham depict the events taking place in Clanton as carnival-like?

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

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

8. What is the trajectory of Judge Omar Noose's career that has led him to his current status?

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

10. Why does the name of Clyde Sisco cause some stir during Jake's jury strategy team session in Chapter 29?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is identified at "Mickey Mouse" in the Ku Klux Klan? What has this individual attempted to do secretly? Provide several examples of "Mickey Mouse's" success. When did "Mickey Mouse" fail?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Compare the Coffee Shop and Claude's. Who do they cater to? Who are the key figures related to these establishments? Elaborate on the function they serve in John Grisham's story. When does Jake Brigance patronize them and why?

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