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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 was the 77-year-old prisoner who had been at Bedford Hills longer than anyone?

2. Elaine, along with Harris, Boudin, and Clark were known as what at Bedford Hills prison?

3. Which couple is introduced in Chapter 10 as joining a program to let a prisoner's child stay with them for a week?

4. How much does Charlie offer Elaine to take a package of cocaine to Albany?

5. What country's drug laws inspired Governor Rockefeller's drug laws?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Elaine's cell at Bedford Hills Prison from Chapter Eight.

2. How did Apache cope with life in Apartment 13B?

3. Describe Fiske Cottage and how Elaine feels about it.

4. What is the result of Judge Clyne's eleven years on the bench?

5. What is Danae like?

6. What are Elaine's options for time served in Part 1?

7. What does Elaine choose to wear in Chapter 1.

8. Why do you think some women have a hard time leaving Bedford Hills Prison?

9. Explain the Rockefeller drug laws.

10. What is the purpose of South Forty?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does poverty and race play in Elaine's arrest, conviction, and sentencing? Does it play a role in her initial denial for clemency? Explain your answer, providing supporting information from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the "War on Drugs" as evidenced by laws like the Rockefeller drug laws. Why are drugs a problem in American society? Do strong drug laws deter offenders? Does the punishment fit the crime? Support your answers with statistics from today's drugs and drug laws. Make a recommendation on what you think the best solution to the problem is. Be sure to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

"Life on the Outside" is an example of narrative nonfiction in that it's a true story that reads like fiction. While the story is about Elaine Bartlett, it is not her voice recounting the story. In reality, author Jennifer Gonnerman is part of the story. What is her role and goal in the telling of this book? Do you ever feel her advising or judging Elaine? Is she ever a part of the story? Do you find any evidence of her "voice?"

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