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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. Who do the police hope will lead them to the men for whom they are searching?

2. For whom does Carson work?

3. What does Chuck want to do that Cindy does not allow?

4. To where does the setting of the scene shift?

5. With what does Griffin threaten Cindy if she tries to escape?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bard say about his encounter with Griffin in the past?

2. Who knocks at the door of the Hilliard's house and what does he do?

3. What do Carson and Bard do when after Robish is outside?

4. What is Eleanor doing with Dan?

5. What is Cindy doing when Dan and Eleanor are in their room?

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

7. What does Dan do when he arrives back at his house?

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

9. What does Griffin do to Eleanor after she opens the door?

10. What happens when Cindy arrives home after her date with Chuck?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Desperate Hours belongs to the genre of drama. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. What do you think is the definition of drama? Write out your definition and then look up the definition in a literary dictionary. How similar are the two definitions?

2. Drama is written with the intention that it will be performed. How do you think this influences the manner in which the plot unfolds, the dialogue, the set complexity, the number of characters, and the length?

3. Compare Desperate Hours to a short story, such as "A Good Man is Hard to Find," by Flannery O'Conner. What are the differences? The similarities? Which do you enjoy reading the most?

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Patterson, the garbage man, comes by to collect money for the monthly bill and realizes something is suspicious. Robish jumps on the back of his truck and ends up murdering Mr. Patterson. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Is there anything Mr. Patterson could have done to be safe? Would you have thought to check the back of your truck under the same circumstance?

2. Do you think that the only thing Robish could have done is kill Mr. Patterson? What about tying him up and letting someone else know later? What does it say about Robish as a person that he so easily kills a man?

3. Do you think Glen Griffin would have taken the same action as Robish against Mr. Patterson? What about Hank?

Essay Topic 3

During the climatic and final Act 3, both Chuck and Dan have the opportunity to kill one or more of the convicts during all the confusion. Both men choose to hit the convicts rather than shoot to kill. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Why do you think Dan and Chuck do not try to kill the convicts when they separately have the chance?

2. Do you think Griffin would have actually killed Ralphie if the gun had been loaded? Explain your thoughts with examples.

3. Do you think the average non-criminal citizen would have done the same thing as Dan and Chuck, i.e., disable rather than kill? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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