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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Jan Erlone think when he hears Bigger's lie about him?
(a) That Mr. Dalton, Britten and Bigger just hate communists.
(b) That Mr. Dalton and Britten are making Bigger lie.
(c) That Bigger is the person responsible for Mary's disappearance.
(d) That they are all crazy and should be looking for Mary instead of questioning him.

2. Where does Bigger place the ransom note to be certain Mr. Dalton gets it?
(a) Under the back door.
(b) In the Dalton mail box.
(c) On Mr. Dalton's desk in his office.
(d) Under the front door.

3. 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 Jan Erlone refused to be released and has signed a confession.
(b) Because Jan Erlone is a communist and they hate communists.
(c) Because Mr. Dalton really liked Bigger and wanted to help him.
(d) Because coming up with such a detailed plan would be beyond the Negro mind.

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

5. Why does Mr. Dalton refuse to have Jan Erlone picked up by the police for questioning?
(a) He is afraid of the bad publicity.
(b) He doesn't think Jan Erlone has anything to do with it.
(c) He doesn't want the police invovled because doesn't trust them.
(d) He's afraid his daughter is just doing this to disgrace the family.

6. How many people are searching for Bigger?
(a) Eight thousand police and vigilantes.
(b) Eight thousand armed, angry, white men.
(c) Five thousand vigilantes.
(d) Eight thousand police officers.

7. How does Mrs. Dalton look when she comes to Bigger's room to question him about Mary's disappearance?
(a) She's dressed in white and she looks suspicious.
(b) She's wearing black because she knows Mary is dead.
(c) She's wearing a white pants suit and has her white hair tied back in a bun.
(d) She's dressed in white and she is very pale.

8. What does Bigger do with the pamphlets Jan gave him the night before?
(a) He throws them in the trash.
(b) He goes to his room in the Dalton house and carefully puts them in his drawer.
(c) He sits on the bed and reads them.
(d) He burns them.

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

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

11. What happens after Jan Erlone sees Bigger on the street and offers to help him, then invites him out for coffee to talk about the situation?
(a) Bigger runs away.
(b) Bigger tells Jan Erlone he doesn't need his help.
(c) Bigger pulls a gun on Jan Erlone.
(d) Jan Erlone runs away when he sees Bigger has a knife.

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

13. How does Bigger feel committing murder has changed his life?
(a) He feels powerful and ready to kill again.
(b) He is afraid he will spend the rest of his life on the run.
(c) It has given meaning to his life.
(d) He feels it has opened the door to opportunity.

14. What goes through Bigger's mind when he hears the music from the church?
(a) He hums along, but feeling to peace he gets angry.
(b) He hates the music and can't wait to find another apartment.
(c) He half wishes he was a believer like his mother, but doesn't want to give up his sense of self.
(d) He wishes he could be with his mother.

15. What does Bigger say when Bessie asks if he murdered Mary Dalton?
(a) He laughs and says Mary killed herself by jumping in the river and he just watched.
(b) He denies killing Mary, but admits he stole money from her.
(c) He admits that he killed Mary and threatens Bessie, too.
(d) He admits that he killed Mary and tells Bessie he'll tell everyone she helped him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when Bigger first awakens the morning after the murder?

2. How much money does Bigger show Bessie to try to impress her?

3. What does Bigger give his friends when he sees them the morning after Mary's murder?

4. What things does Mrs. Dalton question Bigger about when she comes to his room?

5. In what ways does Bigger act to give the impression he thinks Mary is asleep upstairs in her bedroom?

(see the answer keys)

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