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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. What was Epps' status at the time that he bought Solomon from John Tibeats?

2. How did people in the South make money at the time that Solomon was sold to Edwin Epps?

3. What was Solomon doing when the carriage whisked by on its way to the main house of the Epps Plantation?

4. What concerned Solomon the most after Bass wrote and sent letters to those who might be able to help him regain his freedom?

5. What was the primary reason for the inharmonious nature of Epps Plantation with the environment around it?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 20 of the book, how did Samuel Bass manage to carry out his effort to help Solomon regain his freedom despite Epps' presence?

2. In Chapter 15 of the story, what type of festivities did the slaves in Bayou Bœuf enjoy at Christmastime?

3. In Chapter 14 of the book, how did the slaves manage to add variety to the food that was available to them to eat on a daily basis?

4. In Chapter 13 of the story, what was expected of the slaves who worked the cotton fields for Epps?

5. In Chapter 12 of the story, why was the day following a night of Epps drinking especially hard on the slaves?

6. In Chapter 11 of the book, what did Solomon appreciate about the time that he spent at the Ford Plantation following his trek through the Great Pacoudrie Swamp?

7. How did Samuel Bass show others that he was against slavery in Chapter 19 of the book?

8. What type of situations involved long waiting times that Solomon had to endure in Chapter 20 of the book?

9. What type of consequences did Epps have to face for chasing the young and beautiful slave, Patsey in Chapter 16 of the book?

10. In Chapter 13 of the story, how did Epps show little concern if any when Solomon fell ill?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 20, Author Northrup characterized 20-year-old Norwood Plantation owner, Mary McCoy, as an angelic young lady who treated everyone, including all of her slaves, with extreme kindness.

Identify and discuss the message that Northrup delivered to the reader in comparing Miss McCoy to other Bayou Bœuf plantation owners like John Tibeats and Edwin Epps. What did Northrup say? What may have been his goal in making the comparison? What did he want the reader to understand?

Based on what you believe Northrup’s message to have been, state whether you agree or disagree with him. If you agree with him, explain why. If you do not agree with him, detail the reason(s) why.

Essay Topic 2

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 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.

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