A Day in the Life of a Convict

What was the primary purpose of constructing Hyde Park Barracks in 1817?

• To serve as a marketplace for convicts

• To house unmarried male convicts working in government

• To provide a recreational area for convicts

• To serve as a hospital for convicts

What type of clothing were convicts given upon arrival at Hyde Park Barracks?

• A red and white striped shirt and black trousers

• A blue and white striped cotton shirt, white trousers, a blue jacket, a leather hat, and a pair of shoes

• A green uniform with a cap

• A plain white robe

What was the purpose of marking convict clothing with the broad arrow?

• To indicate the convict's rank

• To prevent items from being stolen or sold by convicts

• To show the convict's work assignment

• To identify the convict's age group

What was the main meal convicts ate at 1:00 PM?

• A vegetable soup

• A salty meat stew and bread

• A fruit salad

• A cheese sandwich

What was the name of the tasteless cornmeal porridge served for breakfast?

• Oatmeal

• Hominy

• Grits

• Polenta

What was the purpose of the muster at sunset?

• To distribute evening meals

• To conduct a roll-call

• To provide entertainment

• To assign new work tasks

How did the convict boys likely feel living at Hyde Park Barracks?

• Excited and happy

• Scared and lonely

• Indifferent and bored

• Energetic and playful

Who was Dennis Finn?

• A guard at Hyde Park Barracks

• A 12-year-old boy convict

• The governor of New South Wales

• A famous convict escapee

What problem did the colonial government face as the number of convicts increased?

• Lack of food supplies

• Need to house and control work hours of convicts

• Shortage of guards

• Overcrowding of ships

What was the living condition like at Hyde Park Barracks in 1837?

• Spacious and comfortable

• Overcrowded with 1700 convicts

• Luxurious with private rooms

• Empty and abandoned