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

2. 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 fears she suspects something and plans on how he will kill her if she discovers anything about Mary.
(b) He hurries down the stairs to shake the ashes.
(c) He tells Peggy the furnace is fine, but he will check it anyway.
(d) He tells Peggy he will check the furnace later.

3. What does Peggy decide must have happened to Mary?
(a) To Bigger's shock she told him that Mary has lost her head since dating Jan Erlone.
(b) There must have been some kind of foul play because Mary is usally very responsible.
(c) Mary probably waited for Bigger to leave then snuck out of the house again.
(d) Mary probably left earlier than expected because she is usually unpredictable.

4. In what ways does Bigger act to give the impression he thinks Mary is asleep upstairs in her bedroom?
(a) He loads her trunk, waits by the car, rings the bell, then asks Peggy what he should do since Mary has not come down.
(b) He eats breakfast with the Daltons as though nothing unusual has happened.
(c) He asks Mrs. Dalton what time Mary's train is supposed to leave, because he doesn't want them to be late.
(d) He eats his breakfast then asks Peggy to go upstairs and find out what is taking Mary so long.

5. On the streetcar on the way to Bessie's apartment what does Bigger want to shout?
(a) That he killed a rich, white girl.
(b) That he was lucky to have a good job.
(c) That he was in love with a beautiful girl.
(d) That he knew something they didn't know.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Bigger tells his fabricated story about the previous evening to Mr. Dalton and Britten, what is he feeling?

2. In Book Two as Bigger rides the streetcar, what is his only regret?

3. 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.

4. When Peggy finds Mary is not in her room what does she question Bigger about it, and what does he tell her?

5. How does Bigger sign the ransom note he has written to Mr. Dalton?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

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

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

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

8. What deterred the Daltons from being excessively concerned when they found Mary wasn't in the house the morning after she was murdered?

9. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

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

(see the answer keys)

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