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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 chooses the journalists names randomly from a bucket to be present at Sam's execution?

2. What state is Carmen from?

3. What is Mr. Olander's professional opinion about Sam?

4. Who actually came to visit Sam shortly after Adam left?

5. What does Sam do in his cell before his execution?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Donnie and Sam's last time together.

2. Where and how does Adam react, or want to react, when he sees Lee?

3. Explain Sam and his relationships with family members as his execution draws closer.

4. What leads Lee on another alcoholic binge?

5. Who is Carmen and what does she see as she visits Sam for the first time?

6. Both Lee and Adam have news for each other. What is the news they share with each other?

7. How does Sam prepare for death after the decision from the hearing?

8. How does Governor McAllister agree to clemency for Sam?

9. Explain how law students are helping to execute Adam's plan set up by Garner Goodman.

10. What was the purpose of Adam's trip to New Orleans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Philip Naifeh and George Nugent are the superintendent and assistant superintendent, respectfully, of Parchman Prison. Each of these men holds a different stance toward running the prison and the execution process of death row inmates. What are the similarities and differences between these two individuals regarding how they run the prison, their organizational skills, the way they run the execution process, and the way they feel toward the execution process? Do inmates feel the same way toward these individuals? How can you tell? Give examples from the novel to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Lee was once an alcoholic, but now is not. However, Lee has recently binged. What has caused Lee to relapse into drinking again? What does she do to try to cover up the fact that she has relapsed back to drinking? Is the relapse back to drinking related to Sam, her involvement with Adam, or for no particular reason? Give specific details from the novel to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The trip that Lee and Adam took to Clanton, Mississippi was a very eye-opening trip for both of them. Lee shared more stories of her hometown and about Sam, including a story of Joe Lincoln and their grandfather. What is the story that Lee told about their grandfather, Sam Cayhall, and Joe Lincoln? How did Lee tell the story? Was it emotional for her? How did Adam feel when he heard this story? How did this story affect the relationship between Sam and Adam?

(see the answer keys)

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