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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. 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) Mr. Dalton and a group of white men.
(c) Mrs. Dalton and a white private investigator.
(d) Mr. and Mrs. Dalton and Peggy.

2. Why does Bigger seem bothered that the newspaper only just wrote about him after he killed Mary?
(a) Because he didn't like the attention that could result in his being caught.
(b) Becaue he has felt the same anger and hatred inside him his entire life and no one ever wrote about it before.
(c) He is thrilled the newspaper is writing about him and thinks about killing again for more attention.
(d) He is unhappy because the story isn't accurate.

3. What does Bigger do to Bessie after they go to the old building to hide?
(a) He rapes her then cuts off her head like he did Mary's and throws her body down an air shaft.
(b) He rapes her then after she falls alseep kills her with a brick then throws her body down an air shaft.
(c) He smashes her head with a brick then runs away.
(d) He sleeps then awakens realizing he must kill Bessie.

4. Why does Mr. Dalton refuse to have Jan Erlone picked up by the police for questioning?
(a) He doesn't want the police invovled because doesn't trust them.
(b) He is afraid of the bad publicity.
(c) He's afraid his daughter is just doing this to disgrace the family.
(d) He doesn't think Jan Erlone has anything to do with it.

5. What does Bigger do with the pamphlets Jan gave him the night before?
(a) He goes to his room in the Dalton house and carefully puts them in his drawer.
(b) He burns them.
(c) He sits on the bed and reads them.
(d) He throws them in the trash.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bigger begin to wish for all blacks?

2. In what ways does Bigger act to give the impression he thinks Mary is asleep upstairs in her bedroom?

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

4. After he recalls killing Mary Dalton, what did Bigger realize he left in plain sight of his mother and his siblings?

5. What does Bigger contemplate while standing on the rooftop?

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

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

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

5. In what ways was Bigger's capture similar to the opening of the book when Bigger chased, eventually killing the rat?

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

7. 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.

8. What things made the Daltons begin to worry about their daughter being gone?

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

10. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

(see the answer keys)

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