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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 Burch react when Solomon first met him and told him that he was feeling sick?

2. How were Solomon and the other slaves treated around Goodin's Pen in Richmond, Virginia?

3. Who suffered the worst loss of all during the slave sale at Freeman's?

4. Overall, how was Solomon likely to feel about John Tibeats?

5. Shortly after buying them, how did William Ford show Solomon and the other slaves that he was compassionate toward them?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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 feel that the exterior of Williams' Slave Pen in Washington could be viewed in Chapter 3 of the book?

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

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

9. In Chapter 6 of the book, who suffered during the sale conducted at Freeman's Pen?

10. As Chapter 2 ends, and Chapter 3 begins, how did Solomon discover that he was being held in slavery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

As Twelve Years a Slave came to an end, what in your estimation, ultimately saved Solomon from having to continue his life in slavery? His resourcefulness? His faith and trust in God? Lawyer Henry B. Northrup? His perseverance? Providence? Luck in running into Samuel Bass? Samuel Bass’ friendship? Samuel Bass’ commitment to help him?

From Solomon’s standpoint, it was a combination of two factors mentioned in the preceding paragraph that ultimately saved him from having to be enslaved for life.

Using the list provided above, select the two factors that Solomon credited with restoring his freedom.

Discuss whether either factor that you have selected played a stronger or more dominant role in helping Solomon regain his freedom. If your answer is yes, identify the dominant factor that you have chosen, and explain its role. Be sure to include reasons to support your view.

In the alternative, if you feel that both factors played an equal role in putting freedom back into Solomon’s life, explain why. Be sure to include reasons to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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