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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 happens when Cindy goes inside her home?

2. With what does Griffin gain Dan and Cindy's cooperation?

3. What is Chuck's occupation?

4. Who calls on the phone?

5. Who does Griffin pretend to be to Eleanor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who shows up at the house the next morning?

2. What does Carson tell Dan the police will do after Dan returns to his house?

3. What does Dan tell Eleanor to do after Robish is gone and what does Griffin do?

4. Why is Miss Swift upset about the Hilliard's house and what does Dan do about it?

5. Who shows up at the house that night?

6. What do the police department do about their information?

7. What finally pushes Griffin over the edge?

8. How does Griffin get a hold of his girlfriend?

9. What is happening at the home of Dan and Eleanor Hilliard with their oldest child at the opening of the play?

10. What does Griffin order Eleanor and Cindy to do after everyone is home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the very opening of Act 1, one immediate theme of the play is obvious--that of convicts and the penal system of the United States. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast the penal system of the United States during the late-1940s and early-1950s to that of the early-21st century.

2. Answer the following questions after conducting some research: How do convicts manage to occasionally escape from what seems to be a very secure place? What type of prisoners tends to escape? How often do you think convicts escape? Do most escapees today refrain from harming hostages as was the case in this situation in Desperate Hours? Do you think the two brothers (Hank and Glenn) who were ultimately killed deserved death? What about Robish? What should happen to him?

3. Discuss the following questions in a cohesive essay: Do you believe today's prison system is cruel? Why or why not? What do you think is the reason for the high recidivism rate of convicts who are released and end up back in prison fairly quickly? Could the prison system do a better job of truly rehabilitating prisoners? What would that take?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 2, Griffin completely loses his composure after Hank leaves and blames the Hilliards' comfortable life as the impetus for Hank's change of mind. Griffin especially blames Dan, who he likens to his own father with his domineering ways and strict rules. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Do you think the fact that Griffin blames the Hilliards for Hank leaving is just one aspect of his dysfunctional personality that leads him to prison? Discuss.

2. Many people, some criminal and other "normal" citizens often blame their parents for their problems. How much responsibility do parents have for the choices their children make as adults?

3. When is it time to stop blaming one's parents or upbringing for the mess one makes of one's own life?

Essay Topic 3

Tensions begin to mount halfway through Act 2, and Griffin seems to be losing control of the other two convicts. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Do you think the other two men had originally decided that Griffin was their leader? How do you think it was determined who took charge?

2. Who is in charge of the Hilliard family? Why do you think this is so? Do you think the dynamics of the family would be different in the 21st century? Would the same person still be in charge?

3. Who else in the book seems to demonstrate leadership qualities besides Dan and Glen? Does anyone?

(see the answer keys)

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