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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 does Bigger begin to wish for all blacks?
(a) That they will become superior to the whites and treat them like they have been treated.
(b) That they will one day make their own laws and rules.
(c) That one day blacks will one day be equal to whites.
(d) That someone will bring them together to make their lives better.

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

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

4. What things does Mrs. Dalton question Bigger about when she comes to his room?
(a) About where he took Mary the night before.
(b) About Mary leaving her new clothing behind.
(c) About where the car was parked, the trunk and Jan Erlone.
(d) About Jan Erlone's involvement with the communists.

5. How do the police finally catch Bigger?
(a) They use a water hose to soak him.
(b) An officer wrestles with him and wins.
(c) They shoot him in the leg.
(d) They don't, he gets away one more time.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Britten?

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

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

4. While hidden Bigger reads a newspaper about the search for him. Why do the authorities still think Jan Erlone is the mastermind behind the entire murder and ransom?

5. On the streetcar on the way to Bessie's apartment what does Bigger want to shout?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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