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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. When Bigger nearly falls off the ledge, how does the writer describe what he would fall into if he had fallen?
(a) "An ocean of boiling hate."
(b) "An ocean of cheers from the spectators below."
(c) "The waiting arms of the police."
(d) "A boiling pot of hatred."

2. 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 communists have plotted the kidnapping and are blaming it on Bigger.
(c) That the negros want to be left alone and the communists forcing their beliefs on them.
(d) That negros are becomming more involved with communisim.

3. How many people are searching for Bigger?
(a) Eight thousand police and vigilantes.
(b) Eight thousand police officers.
(c) Eight thousand armed, angry, white men.
(d) Five thousand vigilantes.

4. After he returns to work at the Dalton house, what happens when Peggy asks Bigger to tend to the furnace because it has been running too hot?
(a) He tells Peggy the furnace is fine, but he will check it anyway.
(b) He hurries down the stairs to shake the ashes.
(c) He tells Peggy he will check the furnace later.
(d) He fears she suspects something and plans on how he will kill her if she discovers anything about Mary.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mr. Dalton refuse to have Jan Erlone picked up by the police for questioning?

2. Who is Britten?

3. After Bigger returns to the Dalton home with Mary's trunk, he again goes to check the furnace. Who interrupts him?

4. What did Buddy tell Bigger happened the night before?

5. What did Bigger's mother say to him after she awakens the morning after the killing?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Although Bigger was very quick with his deceit and able to think on his feet, so to speak, in what way was he becoming his own worst enemy?

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

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

5. Bigger was very much interested in reading about himself in the newspapers. Of what significance was this?

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

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

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

9. What is the Loeb and Leopold case that gave Bigger the idea to pretend Mary was kidnapped and collect a ransom?

10. When did Bigger realize how quickly news was going to spread that he had killed Mary?

(see the answer keys)

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