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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 coming up with such a detailed plan would be beyond the Negro mind.
(c) Because Jan Erlone refused to be released and has signed a confession.
(d) Because Jan Erlone is a communist and they hate communists.

2. 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 a white pants suit and has her white hair tied back in a bun.
(c) She's dressed in white and she is very pale.
(d) She's wearing black because she knows Mary is dead.

3. In book two, how do the reporters decide to frame their stories?
(a) That the communists and the negros are working together to get the ransom.
(b) That the negros want to be left alone and the communists forcing their beliefs on them.
(c) That the communists have plotted the kidnapping and are blaming it on Bigger.
(d) That negros are becomming more involved with communisim.

4. What does Bigger contemplate while standing on the rooftop?
(a) Trying to jump to the next building.
(b) Shooting himself.
(c) Jumping to his death.
(d) Trying to look for a fire escape.

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

6. When Bigger returns to the basement to shake down the ashes, what stops him?
(a) He sees that her body hasn't completely burned.
(b) The white cat stares at him and makes uncomfortable.
(c) He thinks he sees Mary's face as it looked the night before.
(d) He hears someone and is afraid they will see Mary's body.

7. In book two when Bigger finally falls asleep after hearing Peggy and Mrs. Dalton talking about Mary, what does he recall in his dream?
(a) How his mother warned him he'll end up in the gallows if he doesn't straighten out his life.
(b) How noisy he was when he took the trunk to the car that morning.
(c) How noisy he was when he took the trunk the the basement the night before.
(d) How Mrs. Dalton nearly caught him with Mary in her bedroom the night before.

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

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

10. Who is Britten?
(a) A neighbor who saw Bigger carrying Mary into the house the night before.
(b) A detective with the Chicago P.D..
(c) A private investigator from Mr. Dalton's company.
(d) A private investigator Mr. Dalton hired that day to find Mary.

11. What are Bigger's plans for the kidnapping farce?
(a) Have $10,000 put in a shoe box that will be dropped and Bessie will retrieve.
(b) Put $1,000 in a hat box that Bessie will retrieve.
(c) But $100,000 in a shoe box that will be dropped and Bessie will retrieve.
(d) Put $100,000 in a hat box that he will retrieve.

12. Before Bigger puts more coal on the fire, what is he certain he sees in the furnace?
(a) The white cat watching him again.
(b) He can't see anything because the light it out.
(c) The shape of Mary's body beneath the coals.
(d) Peggy watching from the top of the stairs.

13. What does Bigger do with the pamphlets Jan gave him the night before?
(a) He burns them.
(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 throws them in the trash.

14. How is building Bigger chose as the lookout point for the money drop described in the story.
(a) A white, vacant, quiet building.
(b) A tall, white and silent building.
(c) A large, white building.
(d) A vacant building in the slums.

15. What does Bigger give his friends when he sees them the morning after Mary's murder?
(a) A dollar and a pack of cigarettes
(b) Candy and gum
(c) A cigarette and a roll of dollars
(d) Money and cigars

Short Answer Questions

1. After he recalls killing Mary Dalton, what did Bigger realize he left in plain sight of his mother and his siblings?

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

3. What happens when Bigger arrives at Bessie's apartment and he tries to kiss her?

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

5. When Peggy finds Mary is not in her room what does she question Bigger about it, and what does he tell her?

(see the answer keys)

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