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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 they are all crazy and should be looking for Mary instead of questioning him.
(b) That Mr. Dalton, Britten and Bigger just hate communists.
(c) That Mr. Dalton and Britten are making Bigger lie.
(d) That Bigger is the person responsible for Mary's disappearance.

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

3. After Bigger leaves Bessie and returns to the Dalton's house what does Peggy tell him to do and why?
(a) Go the the train station and pick up Mary's trunk because no one claimed it.
(b) Go to the train station and find out what has happened to Mary's trunk.
(c) To take the trunk to the attic because the Dalton's will start worrying about Mary if they see it.
(d) She tells him to take the day off because everyone is too worried about Mary to need his services that day.

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

5. What did Buddy tell Bigger happened the night before?
(a) That he would keep quiet for a price.
(b) That Bigger's girlfriend, Bessie, came to see him and that she was angry he wasn't there.
(c) That Bigger's girlfriend, Bessie, came to see him the night before and talked about marriage.
(d) That their mother was happy he got the job.

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

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

8. 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's afraid his daughter is just doing this to disgrace the family.
(c) He doesn't want the police invovled because doesn't trust them.
(d) He doesn't think Jan Erlone has anything to do with it.

9. The South Side Real Estate Company is what to Bigger?
(a) The company to whom he pays rent for his family's rat-infested room.
(b) The company Bigger dreams of one day owning.
(c) The company where Bigger hopes to one day work.
(d) The South Side Real Estate Company is nothing to Bigger.

10. What does Bigger begin to wish for all blacks?
(a) That one day blacks will one day be equal to whites.
(b) That they will become superior to the whites and treat them like they have been treated.
(c) That someone will bring them together to make their lives better.
(d) That they will one day make their own laws and rules.

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

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

13. 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) He thinks he sees Mary's face as it looked the night before.
(c) The white cat stares at him and makes uncomfortable.
(d) He hears someone and is afraid they will see Mary's body.

14. What happens when Bigger first awakens the morning after the murder?
(a) He remembers everything he did the night before.
(b) He doesn't think about what happened the night before.
(c) He sees his brother, Buddy, staring at him suspiciously.
(d) He tries to sneak out of the house unnoticed.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when the first police officer comes through the trap door to the rooftop?

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

3. What does Bigger overhear Mrs. Dalton saying to Peggy when she learns her daughter is gone?

4. How do the police finally catch Bigger?

5. Bigger finally shakes down the ashes, but he doesn't remove them from the furnace, he just adds more coal. What happens then?

(see the answer keys)

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