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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. Which of his senses did Solomon rely on the most while trying to figure out what was happening around him after spending his first night at Williams' Slave Pen in Washington City?

2. Realistically, what did Solomon's owner, John M. Tibeats consider him to be?

3. In what order did the events listed take place in Solomon's life?

4. How could Solomon best be described as he argued with Burch right before his beating?

5. Based on the description that Solomon wrote, what did his room at Williams' Pen Slave Pen resemble?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Solomon told his life story as well as that of Eliza’s, it became evident that their lives paralleled prior to being cast into the throes of slavery, as well as in the manner that they were cast into slavery, along with the changes that they experienced in their lives while in slavery.

In what ways were the lives of Solomon and Eliza alike prior to slavery? What similarities existed in relation to the means that were used to cast them both into slavery? What similarities existed with regard to the changes that they experienced while living in slavery?

Essay Topic 2

Eliza expected to be issued her emancipation papers and begin living her lifelong dream of liberty with her two children, as the husband of her young mistress, Jacob Brooks led her into Washington City. Her dream was shattered however, when Brooks unexpectedly sold her and her children to slave trader, James H. Burch.

Not long afterward, Eliza’s children were taken away from her, and were separated and sold to different slave traders. She never saw them again, and spent the rest of her days wailing, crying, and mourning the loss of her children.

Did Eliza abandon her lifelong dream of living her life in liberty after she lost her children? If yes, how was that abandonment apparent? If no, how could you tell? Did it appear that Eliza was willing to give up liberty as long as she could spend the rest of her days with her children? If yes, how was her willingness to give up her liberty apparent? If no, how could you tell? What contributed more to Eliza giving up on life: Giving up on her dream of liberty? Or losing her children? List and explain the reason(s) to support your choice.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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