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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. Why did Solomon want the old gentleman from New Orleans who was looking for a coachman to buy him?

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

3. Why was it important to Chapin to keep a dog on the property of the great house where he and Solomon stayed?

4. Why did Solomon trust Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton when he first met them?

5. For the most part, how did Solomon consider his life as a slave for William Ford to be?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What prompted Solomon to want to help William Ford in terms of saving time and raising profits in Chapter 7 of the book?

6. How did Solomon improve his life in Chapter 1 of the book?

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

8. In Chapter 1 of his book, how was Author Solomon Northrup able to depict his early years in life as normal?

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

10. In Chapter 7 of the book, how could Solomon's new master, William Ford be characterized?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northrup, male slave owners and dealers forced cruel and harsh punishment upon male slaves in direct ways. Punishment however, was not limited to male upon male. Acting discreetly and indirectly, female slave owners also managed to force cruel and harsh punishment upon female slaves.

Choose two women from the book whose lives included events of the type described in the preceding sentence. Who was punished? Who forced punishment upon her? How was her punishment carried out? Why was she punished? Was her punishment reasonable? Why or why not?

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

NOTE: This is a two-part essay question. All of the questions with the exception of the final question, require only a brief reply. The final question requires you to elaborate (explain your answer in detail).

While working for the tyrannical Tibeats, Solomon was hired out to help William Ford’s brother-in-law, Peter Tanner; and a neighboring planter, Mr. Eldret. Both times, Solomon performed his work well; and despite being temporarily owned by both men, he was not whipped or abused by either one of them.

Briefly discuss the following factors that may have kept either or both men from whipping or abusing Solomon, as follows:

Is it fair to say that the two men, Tanner and Eldret, were simply interested in having Solomon work for them, and that by nature were not abusive in any way? Why or why not?

Were the factors religious in nature? If yes, what were they? If not, why not?

Did their lack of familiarity with Solomon keep either or both men from whipping or abusing him? If yes, how can you tell?

Were the men simply not wanting to harm what they considered to be Tibeats’ property? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Did Tanner, Eldret or both men feel that by hiring Solomon from Tibeats, they were in essence simply buying a “service” from Tibeats and their business ethic kept them from whipping or abusing Solomon? If yes, how could you tell?

Were there any other factors not mentioned at play? If yes, what were they?

Which of the factors that you have discussed thus far seemed to be the most influential in keeping either Tanner, Eldret, or both of them from whipping or abusing Solomon?

Finally, elaborate (explain in detail) the reasons that supports the choice that you have made.

(see the answer keys)

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