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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. Where is the U.S. Supreme Court located?

2. Which of the following falls into the category of "special circumstances" for those on trial?

3. The Supreme Court had ruled that a person is not criminally responsible for his actions if he ______________________.

4. What is unique about Gideon's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court?

5. At what type of work does Gideon say he could make a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many Supreme Court Justices are there and how large is their support staff?

2. What kind of power do the Supreme Court Justices have and how do some of them feel about it?

3. What is the premise of GIDEON'S TRUMPET?

4. For what crime is Gideon serving time in a Florida prison?

5. What distinction did Justice Jackson once make regarding the infallibility of Supreme Court decision?

6. Do the Supreme Court Justices get to decide which cases they will hear?

7. What is the famous case by which assigning attorneys to defendants is determined?

8. What is the process of a Supreme Court petition?

9. What major inadequacies does Fortas discover in the transcripts of Gideon's criminal trial?

10. What role has Gideon assumed while in prison regarding helping some of the other inmates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in Gideon's life. How did Gideon have to adapt to a lonely childhood and youth? What effect did that have on his future relationships? Could his inability to manage relationships be part of the cause of his marital failures and relationships with his children? Explain the impact that childhood distress can have on an adult many years later.

Essay Topic 2

In Gideon's Supreme Court case, Abe Fortas is assigned to represent him while Bruce Jacob represents the state's rights. Compare and contrast Abe Fortas and Bruce Jacob. What similarities do they share? How are they different? Do you think the Supreme Court Justices knew what they were doing when they appointed Fortas to Gideon's case? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the book GIDEON'S TRUMPET when Gideon is clearly not a musician? Expand your thinking and provide the best answer you can think of.

(see the answer keys)

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