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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After Bass agreed to help Solomon regain his freedom, how did both men act toward each other around Epps?
(a) As if nothing was going on between them.
(b) Friendly as ever with one another.
(c) As if they did not like each other.
(d) They would say hello to one another on occasion.

2. Why was Bass hesitant to write additional letters to try to get help for Solomon?
(a) Because he was not sure that they letter recipients could not read his writing.
(b) Because he thought that the Postmaster in Marksville might become curious about his endeavor.
(c) Because he had already written a lot of them and had not received a reply from any of the recipients.
(d) Because he was not sure that the letters were not being delivered.

3. What did Bass view as a more effective means for getting help for Solomon to be freed from slavery?
(a) Getting Lawyer Henry B. Northrup to write a letter to the President of the United States.
(b) Sending a letter to the President of the United States.
(c) Traveling to Saratoga Sprngs himself.
(d) Traveling to Washington City to meet with the President of the United States to discuss Solomon's matter.

4. Why did Edwin Epps refuse to get rid of Patsey despite being urged to do so by Mrs. Epps?
(a) Because he was afraid that she would turn him in to the Sheriff for having abused her.
(b) Because she was too valuable in the cotton field.
(c) Because Patsey had a reputation of being lazy.
(d) Becaues the whipping marks on Patsey's back made her appear rebellious.

5. Why did Solomon have a different attitude about working for Judge Turner?
(a) Because Judge Turner provideed very good meals for his workers.
(b) Because he and Judge Turner were friends.
(c) Because Judge Turner paid him and he felt rewarded for his work.
(d) Because Judge Turner and William Ford were friends; and Solomon wanted to make a good impression.

6. In characterizing Judge Turner, how was he like the other planters in Bayou Bœuf?
(a) He abused and mistreated them.
(b) He expected the slaves to work and produce for him.
(c) He treated them like animals.
(d) He believed that slaves could be profitable for him.

7. In which of the following areas was the slaves' level of understanding most underestimated by those outside slavery?
(a) Faith.
(b) Freedom.
(c) The value of their work.
(d) The value of money.

8. Which of the following could be viewed as Epps' loss in the course of mistreating his slaves?
(a) Costs associated with constant leather whip replacements due to heavy use.
(b) Profit loss resulting from the work of his slaves.
(c) A decrease in productivity due to his slaves having been beaten to the point of not being able to work.
(d) Leading his son to believe that he did not have to respect.the slaves--even if they were older than him.

9. What may have been the underlying reason that William Ford was willing to let Mr. Eldret hire Solomon?
(a) He owed Mr Eldret a favor.
(b) He did not have much work for Solomon to do.
(c) He knew that Mr. Eldret needed Solomon's help.
(d) He knew that Mr. Eldret would treat Solomon with kindness and fairness.

10. In general, how did Bass view slavery?
(a) Bass viewed slavery as morally right in certain circumstances.
(b) Bass viewed slavery as morally wrong in certain circumstances.
(c) Bass viewed slavery as morally right in all circumstances.
(d) Bass viewed slavery as morally wrong in all circumstances.

11. How was Solomon's hiring by Avery fateful in nature?
(a) Solomon met Bass while working for Avery.
(b) Solomon began working for Avery on a full-time basis.
(c) Solomon had learned carpentry from his father.
(d) Avery paid Solomon for the work that he did for him.

12. What inspired Solomon to design and build a fish trap?
(a) A desire to impress the other slaves.
(b) A never-ending appetite for fish.
(c) He had the necessary materials available; so he decided to put them to good use.
(d) A desire to expand his variety of food without much effort.

13. What two words could be used to accurately characterize slave owner, Edwin Epps?
(a) Friendly, anxious.
(b) Harsh, cruel.
(c) Nice, friendly.
(d) Quiet, funny.

14. For the most part, why did whippings occur with high frequency at the Epps plantation?
(a) Because the slaves tended to get rowdy.
(b) Because Epps constantly accused the slaves of stealing from him.
(c) Because slaves did not pick the right amount of cotton.
(d) Because the slaves were constantly late to the cotton field.

15. What did the fact that Epps bought a large plantation that the slaves had actually earned for him reveal about him?
(a) That he thought of absolutely no one but himself.
(b) That he did not see anything wrong with doing that.
(c) That he felt that he deserved it.
(d) That he stole from the hard labor of others.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following critter types was most costly to the planters?

2. Why did Solomon not want the other slaves to know about his past?

3. What was the primary reason for the inharmonious nature of Epps Plantation with the environment around it?

4. How could Bass' efforts to help Solomon regain his freedom be described?

5. Before Solomon left Mr. Eldret's plantation to travel to Ford's plantation for a visit, what did he learn about him?

(see the answer keys)

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