12 Angry Men Study Guide Answers

Question: As the play begins, the JUDGE is instructing the twelve jurors. What are his specific instructions?

Answer: To separate facts from fancy, to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully.

Question: How is the jury room described?

Answer: Small barely any space, and hot.

Question: How might the jury room itself, the time, and the weather affect the jurors?

Answer: The room is small, the weather is hot and the air conditioner does not work, and the jurors just want to go home.

Question: Which juror is particularly anxious to reach a quick decision? Why?

Answer: 7th juror because he has a ball game to attend.

Question: Before the first vote is taken, what do we learn about the crime? What has the boy supposedly done?

Answer: The boy killed his father and committed murder.

Question: What is the result of the first vote?

Answer: 11-1 not guilty

Question: Why does EIGHT say he voted not guilty?

Answer: He did not want to make a decision too quickly and needs time to actually think about the case before sending off the kid to jail.

Question: How do the other jurors react to EIGHT’s statements?

Answer: Shocked because they thought it was easy and simple.

Question: In order to convince EIGHT of the defendant’s guilt, the jurors decide to discuss the fact of the case. What information do the jurors present about the case that make them think the boy is guilty?

Answer: 1. lived in a slum

2. mom died

3. orphanage

4. dad in jail before

5. reform school

6. stole a car

7. knife fights

8. switch knife user

9. abusive dad

Question: What comments do SEVEN, THREE, and FOUR make about the defendant? Do their comments pertain to the facts of the case? Why does FIVE react as he does?

Answer: 7,3, and 4 commented that the boy deserves to be punished or disciplined. Yes, and Five reacted by saying he has grown up in slums too.