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

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

3. What does Jan Erlone think when he hears Bigger's lie about him?
(a) That Mr. Dalton and Britten are making Bigger lie.
(b) That Mr. Dalton, Britten and Bigger just hate communists.
(c) That they are all crazy and should be looking for Mary instead of questioning him.
(d) That Bigger is the person responsible for Mary's disappearance.

4. 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.
(a) He tries to run from the blood, the coal, and white faces.
(b) All are correct.
(c) A church bell that turns out to be a warning bell urging him to hide himself and his package.
(d) He is carrying a package that turns out to be his own severed, bloddy head wrapped in paper.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Bigger's only regret about what he did to Bessie?

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

3. How much money does Bigger show Bessie to try to impress her?

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

5. Who is Britten?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Bigger decide to try to blame Jan and the Communist Party for the kidnapping?

2. What was Bessie's reaction when Bigger arrived at her apartment the morning after the murder of Mary?

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

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

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

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

8. 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?

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

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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