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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. How did Arthur's life change when the Orleans reached the dock in New Orleans?
(a) Arthur was stricken with small pox and was no longer able to work.
(b) Arthur was sold to a kind planter who treated his slaves with dignity and respect.
(c) Arthur was rescued and was able to return to a life of freedom.
(d) Arthur discovered that his wife and children were gone.

2. How did Ford's other slaves--Sally, Rose, Walton, and John come across to Solomon when he met them?
(a) They appeared to be religious.
(b) The appeared to like to gossip.
(c) They did not complain about their life with Ford.
(d) They were upset about their life with Ford.

3. Why was Solomon confident that everything would be fine at home if he left town with Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton?
(a) Because the children did not need a babysitter; and his wife, Anne was too busy to notice his absence.
(b) Because he did not expect to be gone for very long.
(c) Because he trusted his wife, Anne to handle things while he was gone. She had done it before.
(d) Because all of his family members were engaged in routine activities.

4. Why was Clemens Ray upset as he headed south aboard the Orleans?
(a) He was having to leave longtime friends behind.
(b) He was having to leave his children behind.
(c) He was being separated from his wife.
(d) He was not sure who his new master was going to be.

5. How did Burch react when Solomon first met him and told him that he was feeling sick?
(a) He did not react. He continued to go about his business.
(b) He was sympathetic and offered Solomon his help.
(c) He suggested that Solomon stay in bed until he felt better.
(d) He sent for a doctor immediately.

Short Answer Questions

1. If at any time during his travels with Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton, Solomon felt any doubt about their true motive, what did he base it upon?

2. What did Freeman's customers tend to keep in mind as they shopped around his pen?

3. In general, how did Mrs. Berry and her daughter feel about Eliza?

4. How could the purchase of Solomon, Eliza, and Harry from Freeman be viewed?

5. What was an important factor to the slaves at the time that they were sold?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 7 of the book, what set William Ford apart from the way that other slave owners treated their slaves?

2. In Chapter 3 of the book, what type of role did Jacob Brooks play in the life of Eliza?

3. How was the slaves' departure from Washington City carried out in Chapter 4 of the book?

4. In Chapter 2 of the book, why did Solomon decide to leave Saratoga Springs and head for New York?

5. In the opening Chapter of the book, what did Solomon Northrup acknowledge as a contributing factor in his decision to write his book?

6. What lead Solomon to believe that he could consider Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton to be friends of his in Chapter 2 of the book?

7. In Chapter 6 of the book, what did Freeman's customers do to examine his merchandise before making a purchase?

8. In Chapter 10 of the story, why did Solomon fear for his life during his trek through the Great Pacoudrie Swamp?

9. What was Solomon's first impression of Eliza in Chapter 3 of the book?

10. In Chapter 2 of the book, how did Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton persuade Solomon to travel to New York with them?

(see the answer keys)

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