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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. Why was Clemens Ray upset as he headed south aboard the Orleans?

2. What inspired Solomon to want to help William Ford in the transporting of lumber?

3. How was Solomon able to get directions to Ford's Plantation after his run through the Great Pacoudrie Swamp?

4. How did Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton treat Solomon while traveling to New York?

5. How did the slaves treat Solomon after his ordeal with Tibeats was over?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6 of the book, who suffered during the sale conducted at Freeman's Pen?

2. In Chapter 5 of the story, how could Englishman John Manning be described in relation to Solomon?

3. In Chapter 7 of the book, how was Solomon's new master, John M. Tibeats different from William Ford?

4. How did Solomon improve his life in Chapter 1 of the book?

5. In Chapter 8 of the book, how did Mr. Chapin protect Solomon from being hurt or murdered by John Tibeats?

6. In Chapter 2 of the book, why did Solomon decide to leave Saratoga Springs and head for New York?

7. In Chapter 7 of the book, how could Solomon's new master, William Ford be characterized?

8. In Chapter 6 of the book, what type of slave did Freeman's customers want to buy?

9. In Chapter 6 of the book, what did Freeman's customers do to examine his merchandise before making a purchase?

10. In Chapter 2 of the book, how did Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton persuade Solomon to travel to New York with them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

NOTE: This is a two-part essay question. All of the questions with the exception of the final question, require only a brief reply. The final question requires you to elaborate (explain your answer in detail).

While working for the tyrannical Tibeats, Solomon was hired out to help William Ford’s brother-in-law, Peter Tanner; and a neighboring planter, Mr. Eldret. Both times, Solomon performed his work well; and despite being temporarily owned by both men, he was not whipped or abused by either one of them.

Briefly discuss the following factors that may have kept either or both men from whipping or abusing Solomon, as follows:

Is it fair to say that the two men, Tanner and Eldret, were simply interested in having Solomon work for them, and that by nature were not abusive in any way? Why or why not?

Were the factors religious in nature? If yes, what were they? If not, why not?

Did their lack of familiarity with Solomon keep either or both men from whipping or abusing him? If yes, how can you tell?

Were the men simply not wanting to harm what they considered to be Tibeats’ property? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Did Tanner, Eldret or both men feel that by hiring Solomon from Tibeats, they were in essence simply buying a “service” from Tibeats and their business ethic kept them from whipping or abusing Solomon? If yes, how could you tell?

Were there any other factors not mentioned at play? If yes, what were they?

Which of the factors that you have discussed thus far seemed to be the most influential in keeping either Tanner, Eldret, or both of them from whipping or abusing Solomon?

Finally, elaborate (explain in detail) the reasons that supports the choice that you have made.

Essay Topic 2

Solomon said that he understood why a religious man like William Ford could be religious and yet own slaves at the same time. He stated that the environment that Mr. Ford had been raised in, had led him to believe that owning another man was normal and acceptable.

Taking into consideration the way that William Ford operated -- he owned slaves, but gave them Bibles, explain why either his practice of religion or his practice of owning slaves appeared to be more important to him. Be sure to include reasons in support for the selection that you make.

Essay Topic 3

As Solomon told his life story as well as that of Eliza’s, it became evident that their lives paralleled prior to being cast into the throes of slavery, as well as in the manner that they were cast into slavery, along with the changes that they experienced in their lives while in slavery.

In what ways were the lives of Solomon and Eliza alike prior to slavery? What similarities existed in relation to the means that were used to cast them both into slavery? What similarities existed with regard to the changes that they experienced while living in slavery?

(see the answer keys)

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