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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How much money does Bigger show Bessie to try to impress her?
(a) $225
(b) $100
(c) $175
(d) $125

2. Bigger finally shakes down the ashes, but he doesn't remove them from the furnace, he just adds more coal. What happens then?
(a) The fire is smothered and the basement fills with smoke.
(b) The fire goes out and Bigger must restart it.
(c) The room fill with smoke so Bigger has to get a fan to blow it out the basement window.
(d) The fire starts to get hot again.

3. How does Bigger compare his family to Mary Dalton?
(a) He sees his family's poor existence compared to Mary's rich life.
(b) He sees his family as a burden compared to new possibilites created by Mary's death.
(c) He sees his family as afraid as compared to Mary's confidence.
(d) He sees his family as alive compared to Mary being dead.

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

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

6. When Bessie again declares she won't help Bigger with is ransom plan, what does bigger do to persuade her?
(a) Reminds her she has already helped him steal enough to land her in jail. He also threatens to slap her.
(b) He holds a knife in a threatening way and warns her she had better help him.
(c) He tells her it will be over between them if she doesn't help him.
(d) He threatens to beat her if she doesn't do what he wants.

7. 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 they will one day make their own laws and rules.
(d) That someone will bring them together to make their lives better.

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

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

10. Why does Bessie finally agree to help Bigger with his kidnapping scam?
(a) He says he will give her half the money.
(b) She is greedy and wants in on the deal.
(c) He says he will leave her if she doesn't help him.
(d) He threatens to murder her family.

11. What happens when Bigger arrives at Bessie's apartment and he tries to kiss her?
(a) She argues with him about not being home when she tried to visit him the night before.
(b) She tells him if he doesn't marry her it means he is ashamed of her.
(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.

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

13. What idea does Bigger get after Bessie mentions he is working near the site of the Leopold and Loeb case?
(a) Contacting Leopold and Loeb for advice
(b) That he and Bessie should go out on the town
(c) Kidnapping and ransom
(d) Blaming Mary's disappeareance on Leopold and Loeb

14. What goes through Bigger's mind when he hears the music from the church?
(a) He hates the music and can't wait to find another apartment.
(b) He hums along, but feeling to peace he gets angry.
(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. How do the police finally catch Bigger?
(a) They shoot him in the leg.
(b) An officer wrestles with him and wins.
(c) They don't, he gets away one more time.
(d) They use a water hose to soak him.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In Book Two Bigger is feeling very confident and powerful, except when he sleeps and dreams. What does he dream about after his first meeting with Britten.

3. What does Jan Erlone think when he hears Bigger's lie about him?

4. Why does Bigger seem bothered that the newspaper only just wrote about him after he killed Mary?

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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