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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What kind of relationship does Bigger have with Gus?
(a) They are classmates
(b) They are half brothers
(c) They are best friends
(d) It is a volatile relationship

2. Who does Bigger decide to blame for Mary's death?
(a) Peggy
(b) Jan Erlone
(c) Jack
(d) Bessie Mears

3. After meeting Mrs. Dalton, what two things does Bigger note about her?
(a) She is blind and uses words he doesn't understand.
(b) She is afraid to speak up to her husband and seems afraid of him.
(c) She is an attractive woman with a good education.
(d) She is blind and much younger than her husband.

4. On Bigger's first night at work, what does he, Mary and Jan do as they drive around the park?
(a) Drink beer, rum and talk about communism.
(b) Talk about Mary's upcoming trip.
(c) Get drunk and read pamphlets
(d) Drink until they all pass out.

5. Why is Bigger afraid of being caught in Mary's bedroom?
(a) He already has a girlfriend who is jealous
(b) He is black and she is white
(c) He isn't afraid of anything
(d) He doesn't want to lose his job

Short Answer Questions

1. What two words best describe Bigger in this opening part of the novel?

2. How does Bigger get Mary to her room without disturbing anyone?

3. Where does Bigger say white people live?

4. Where is Mary Dalton expected to go on the day after Bigger is hired by her father?

5. Who is the owner of the pool hall?

Short Essay Questions

1. After all the gory details of the way he disposed of Mary's body, how was Bigger reacting?

2. What did he find outside near the car on the night of Mary's death, and what did he do with it?

3. Why did Bigger decide to put Mary's body in the trunk?

4. Why does Bigger seem to take an instant dislike to Mary Dalton?

5. Why does Bigger panic when Mrs. Dalton enters Mary's room while he is in there?

6. Why did Bigger help Mary to her room instead of waking her parents and letting them know her drunken condition?

7. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

8. What happened when Mary's body didn't fit into the furnace?

9. Why does Bigger get so angry and violent with Gus when he says he'll go along with the robbery?

10. Describe Bigger's home.

(see the answer keys)

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