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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. 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.

2. What happens when Britten backs Bigger against the wall and grabs his collar asking him about the pamphlets Jan Erlone gave him?
(a) Mr. Dalton tells Britten that Bigger probably wouldn't even understand the brochures.
(b) Mr. Dalton tells Britten, Bigger probably knows nothing about them and doesn't even know Jan Erlone.
(c) Bigger stares coldly into the eyes of Britten until the man releases him.
(d) Bigger wants to hit the private investigator, but controls the urge.

3. What goes through Bigger's mind when he hears the music from the church?
(a) He half wishes he was a believer like his mother, but doesn't want to give up his sense of self.
(b) He wishes he could be with his mother.
(c) He hums along, but feeling to peace he gets angry.
(d) He hates the music and can't wait to find another apartment.

4. What are Bigger's plans for the kidnapping farce?
(a) Put $1,000 in a hat box that Bessie will retrieve.
(b) But $100,000 in a shoe box that will be dropped and Bessie will retrieve.
(c) Put $100,000 in a hat box that he will retrieve.
(d) Have $10,000 put in a shoe box that will be dropped and Bessie will retrieve.

5. What happens when one of the men discovers bone and an earring in the ashes?
(a) Bigger slips away from the men then jumps out of a second story window into the snow.
(b) Bigger sneaks out of the basement door and runs to Bessie's apartment.
(c) He jumps out of a second story windown into the snow then runs to Bessie's apartment.
(d) He jumps out a window and hurts his knee, so he has to walk slowly to Bessie's apartment.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bigger finally do after wandering the streets looking for food and shelter?

2. What does the white cat do while Bigger is being questioned by the police and reporters?

3. What keeps stopping Bigger from shaking down the ashes in the furnace?

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

5. What does Bigger do to Bessie after they go to the old building to hide?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

10. What did Bigger's brother, Buddy, have to say to him?

(see the answer keys)

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