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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. In Book Two as Bigger rides the streetcar, what is his only regret?
(a) That he had to work.
(b) That Mary's body didn't fit in the furnace. He hated all the blood when he cut off her head.
(c) That he hadn't planned the murder so he could have gotten more money and felt more successful.
(d) That he ever got mixed up with the Dalton's in the first place.

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. 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) The shape of Mary's body beneath the coals.
(c) He can't see anything because the light it out.
(d) Peggy watching from the top of the stairs.

4. 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 alive compared to Mary being dead.
(c) He sees his family as afraid as compared to Mary's confidence.
(d) He sees his family as a burden compared to new possibilites created by Mary's death.

5. What does Bigger do with the pamphlets Jan gave him the night before?
(a) He sits on the bed and reads them.
(b) He burns 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.

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 book two, how do the reporters decide to frame their stories?

3. When Bigger returns to the basement to shake down the ashes, what stops him?

4. What happens when Bigger climbs another ledge on the rooftop and beings crawling away?

5. How many people are searching for Bigger?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Bigger arrived at the Dalton home on the morning after Mary's murder how was he feeling?

2. What is the one problem Bigger feels he has to do before he will be okay?

3. What was Bigger's fatal mistake in his plan to dispose of Mary's body?

4. The morning after Mary's killing, as Bigger rode the street car on his way back to the Dalton house, he spent a lot of time reflecting on the plight of black people. Explain what Bigger thought would be a solution to their fear and shame.

5. When Bigger awoke in the morning after Mary's death, what happened when he remembered what he had done the night before?

6. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

7. What kind of power did Bigger have over Bessie that she continued to obey his direction even though she knew it was wrong?

8. Describe Bigger's treatment when he was finally caught.

9. In Book two, what does Bigger do at the drug store?

10. What was the argument Bigger had with his family as he tried to pack his things the day after Mary's death?

(see the answer keys)

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