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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) "A boiling pot of hatred."
(b) "An ocean of cheers from the spectators below."
(c) "The waiting arms of the police."
(d) "An ocean of boiling hate."

2. When Bessie again declares she won't help Bigger with is ransom plan, what does bigger do to persuade her?
(a) He threatens to beat her if she doesn't do what he wants.
(b) He tells her it will be over between them if she doesn't help him.
(c) Reminds her she has already helped him steal enough to land her in jail. He also threatens to slap her.
(d) He holds a knife in a threatening way and warns her she had better help him.

3. After Bigger returns to the Dalton home with Mary's trunk, he again goes to check the furnace. Who interrupts him?
(a) Mrs. Dalton and a white private investigator.
(b) Mr. Dalton and a group of white men.
(c) The police.
(d) Mr. and Mrs. Dalton and Peggy.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Bigger place the ransom note to be certain Mr. Dalton gets it?

2. How does Bigger compare his family to Mary Dalton?

3. Who is Britten?

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

5. What does Bigger say when Bessie asks if he murdered Mary Dalton?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

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

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

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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