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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did the raft that Solomon built for William Ford's lumber transporting business benefit Ford?

2. What could be said about the type of access that Solomon and the other slaves had with respect to the yard that surrounded Williams' Slave Pen?

3. In general, how did Solomon view slave owner William Ford's position with regard to his views on religion and slavery?

4. How did Solomon feel about his father?

5. If William Ford was a wealthy plantation owner, how did he manage to get into financial trouble?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6 of the book, what type of slave did Freeman's customers want to buy?

2. In Chapter 7 of the book, how was Solomon's new master, John M. Tibeats different from William Ford?

3. In Chapter 6 of the book, how did slave dealer Theoplilus Freeman treat the slaves whom he owned?

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

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

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

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

8. How did Solomon prove to be a resourceful type of person for his master, William Ford in Chapter 7 of the book?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Twelve Years a Slave, Solomon was treated harshly and without respect by white men whom he came in contact with, either through master/slave-type interaction, or through a different type of circumstance or coincidence. On the other side of the coin however, it should be noted that Solomon was also treated well and with respect by white men whom he came in contact with, either through master/slave-type interaction, or through a different type of circumstance or coincidence. In fact, some even took action on his behalf, to restore his rights and privileges as a free man, and even as a slave.

Name two (2) white men who treated Solomon well and with respect. Describe the type of contact and interaction that they had with Solomon that qualified them to be acknowledged in a positive way in their dealings with him.

Also discuss the action that those men took toward helping Solomon restore his rights and privileges as a free man.

Essay Topic 2

Led into Washington City by white men who claimed to have their best interest and freedom status in mind, Solomon and Eliza raised questions in anger regarding the true motives of the men who had led them into the clutches of slavery.

What were some of the reasons that Solomon felt that he could trust the white men who had led him into Washington City? Were there any circumstances or early indicators that he should have taken heed not to trust them? If yes, what were those indicators? If no, why not?

What were some of the reasons that Eliza felt that she could trust the white man who had led her into Washington City? Were there any circumstances or early indicators that she should pay attention to and not trust him? Is yes, what were those indicators? If no, why not?

Essay Topic 3

As Author Northrup told his story, he introduced plantation owners and their wives. First, there was William Ford, and his wife, Mistress Ford. Then there was Edwin Epps and his wife, Mistress Epps.

Compare and contrast the demeanor and behavior of Mistress Ford and Mistress Epps. Was it possible that the demeanor and behavior of their respective husbands toward the slaves had anything to do with the ladies' demeanor and behavior toward the slaves as well?

Discuss the interaction between Solomon and Mistress Ford, as well as Mistress Epps and Patsey. Was there a similarity or difference in the manner that they interacted with one another that perhaps influenced by the manner in which their respective husbands treated those particular slaves? If yes, explain. If no, why not?

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