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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which was the highest slave-breeding state?
(a) Georgia.
(b) Mississippi.
(c) Virginia.
(d) Maryland.

2. Why did the attempt to use this second group of people also fail for the English colonists?
(a) They felt that because they too were white, that they deserved equal treatment and refused to work.
(b) They were lazy and did not do their required work well.
(c) The seven year turnover meant a continued supply of new people and they could easily run away and blend in with other whites people.
(d) They were susceptible to several diseases in the New World and many died quickly.

3. Which of the following was most likely the outfit a slave wore to work out in the field?
(a) A shirt AND pants.
(b) A shirt OR pants.
(c) A shirt, pants, AND hat.
(d) A shirt, hat, and shoes OR pants.

4. From where did the first American-built slave ship sail from?
(a) Maryland.
(b) Massachusetts.
(c) Plymouth Rock.
(d) Jamestown.

5. What is a third way early slave trades were carried out?
(a) Slave traders would drug Africans and steal them.
(b) Slave traders started fights with Africans, making bets that if the Africans lost, they would have to become slaves.
(c) African chiefs made deals with one another to trade their own tribesmen and prisoners to the white traders for goods.
(d) African chiefs were tricked into "loaning out" tribesmen as indentured servants.

6. What item was used to discipline slaves?
(a) A whip.
(b) A leather thong.
(c) A pitchfork.
(d) A gun.

7. Why did the attempt to use this first group of people for manual labor fail for the English Colonists?
(a) They were uncompromising and unwilling to work.
(b) The language barrier proved difficult for communication.
(c) They rebelled often against the landlords and ran away.
(d) They were not used to plantation life and were susceptible to diseases.

8. Once the slaves left the field, what did they do?
(a) Cook dinner for the master.
(b) Attend to their individual chores.
(c) Eat dinner.
(d) Get some rest.

9. In 1860, less than ______ slave owners owned more than ______ slaves.
(a) 3000; 100.
(b) 4000; 150.
(c) 4000; 150.
(d) 3000; 150.

10. What was a second reason Africans appealed to the colonists as slaves?
(a) They could be bought "for life."
(b) They did as they were told, made acts of rebellion, and were willing to work hard for their masters.
(c) They were eager to leave Africa for the New World.
(d) They appreciated the amount of money they would be paid.

11. What did the slaves call the slave owner's house?
(a) Master's House.
(b) The House.
(c) The Big House.
(d) Master's Row.

12. Slave traders chained slaves together in a line in what was called a _________________.
(a) Slave auction.
(b) Slave coffle.
(c) Slave chain.
(d) Slave line-up.

13. Which of the following is NOT a reason a slave owner might sell a slave?
(a) Slave-breeding.
(b) To free himself of a personal or business debt.
(c) Unmanageable slaves.
(d) He wanted to try buying new slaves.

14. With whom did slave owners sometimes try to be gentle with before they bought them?
(a) Children.
(b) Young women.
(c) Old women.
(d) Young men.

15. What was the only thing the slaves were given to eat on board the slave ship?
(a) Yams.
(b) Potatoes.
(c) Cabbage.
(d) Bread and cheese.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the advantage to a slave for being sold in an auction that took place in his area?

2. Mammy referred to her slave days as what?

3. How many lashes would a slave receive for something like a broken branch in the field or a dry leaf in the cotton?

4. What was the typical work hours for a slave who worked in the field?

5. Between the time that a slave was bought and sold by a trader, what happened to him?

(see the answer keys)

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