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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does Bigger make his last stand?
(a) A fire escape
(b) A roof top
(c) He climbs into an apartment window
(d) He climbs a water tower

2. What happens when Bigger climbs another ledge on the rooftop and beings crawling away?
(a) He buries himself in snow so they don't see him.
(b) He hides behind a chimney.
(c) He gets away.
(d) He is spotted.

3. What keeps stopping Bigger from shaking down the ashes in the furnace?
(a) He is afraid of burning himself.
(b) He wants to make sure Mary's body is completely burned.
(c) He doesn't know the ashes need to be removed.
(d) Fear and dread

4. In what ways does Bigger act to give the impression he thinks Mary is asleep upstairs in her bedroom?
(a) He loads her trunk, waits by the car, rings the bell, then asks Peggy what he should do since Mary has not come down.
(b) He eats his breakfast then asks Peggy to go upstairs and find out what is taking Mary so long.
(c) He asks Mrs. Dalton what time Mary's train is supposed to leave, because he doesn't want them to be late.
(d) He eats breakfast with the Daltons as though nothing unusual has happened.

5. What does the white cat do while Bigger is being questioned by the police and reporters?
(a) Sits staring intently at Bigger.
(b) Jumps on his shoulder and digs in its claws.
(c) It keeps looking from the furnace to Bigger and back again.
(d) Jumps on his shoulder, then walks around his feet.

6. After he returns to work at the Dalton house, what happens when Peggy asks Bigger to tend to the furnace because it has been running too hot?
(a) He tells Peggy he will check the furnace later.
(b) He tells Peggy the furnace is fine, but he will check it anyway.
(c) He hurries down the stairs to shake the ashes.
(d) He fears she suspects something and plans on how he will kill her if she discovers anything about Mary.

7. When Peggy finds Mary is not in her room what does she question Bigger about it, and what does he tell her?
(a) That he has no idea what could have happened since Mary was fine when he left her.
(b) That the car is in the driveway because "the gentleman", Jan, was going to drive himself home the night before.
(c) That the "gentleman", Jan Erlone, was planning on spending the night and he was going to go with Mary to the train in the morning.
(d) He confesses that Mary had been drunk the night before and that "the gentleman", Jan Erlone, insisted on driving her home, but dropped Bigger at his home first.

8. What happens when Bigger arrives at Bessie's apartment and he tries to kiss her?
(a) She tells him if he doesn't marry her it means he is ashamed of her.
(b) She argues with him about not being home when she tried to visit him the night before.
(c) She tells him that since he now has a job he can marry her.
(d) She isn't interested because he ignored her at the diner.

9. While hidden Bigger reads a newspaper about the search for him. Why do the authorities still think Jan Erlone is the mastermind behind the entire murder and ransom?
(a) Because Mr. Dalton really liked Bigger and wanted to help him.
(b) Because Jan Erlone is a communist and they hate communists.
(c) Because Jan Erlone refused to be released and has signed a confession.
(d) Because coming up with such a detailed plan would be beyond the Negro mind.

10. What is Bigger's only regret about what he did to Bessie?
(a) He regrets she didn't see things his way.
(b) He didn't take back his engagement ring.
(c) He left $90 in her pocket.
(d) He has no regrets.

11. How does Bigger sign the ransom note he has written to Mr. Dalton?
(a) "Red", with a drawing of a noose
(b) "Red", with a drawing of a hammer and sickle
(c) "J. Erlone", with a drawing of a noose
(d) "Better Red than Dead" in red ink

12. What happens when the first police officer comes through the trap door to the rooftop?
(a) Bigger runs away.
(b) Bigger knocks him unconscious.
(c) Bigger throws snowballs at him.
(d) Bigger shootes him.

13. What does Bigger finally do after wandering the streets looking for food and shelter?
(a) He steals a loaf of bread then finds an empty apartment to break into.
(b) He hides with a group of homeless people living near the river.
(c) He buys a loaf of bread then finds an empty apartment to break into.
(d) He steals a loaf of bread then hides in an alley to eat it.

14. In Book Two as Bigger rides the streetcar, what is his only regret?
(a) That he had to work.
(b) That he ever got mixed up with the Dalton's in the first place.
(c) That Mary's body didn't fit in the furnace. He hated all the blood when he cut off her head.
(d) That he hadn't planned the murder so he could have gotten more money and felt more successful.

15. What things does Mrs. Dalton question Bigger about when she comes to his room?
(a) About Mary leaving her new clothing behind.
(b) About Jan Erlone's involvement with the communists.
(c) About where the car was parked, the trunk and Jan Erlone.
(d) About where he took Mary the night before.

Short Answer Questions

1. On the streetcar on the way to Bessie's apartment what does Bigger want to shout?

2. What does Bigger contemplate while standing on the rooftop?

3. The South Side Real Estate Company is what to Bigger?

4. What does Bigger do to Bessie after they go to the old building to hide?

5. How is building Bigger chose as the lookout point for the money drop described in the story.

(see the answer keys)

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