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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. In characterizing Judge Turner, how was he like the other planters in Bayou Bœuf?

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

3. What inspired Solomon to design and build a fish trap?

4. According to Author Northrup, what disturbed the peace around the Epps plantation?

5. What did Solomon use to repay the Fords for their kindness following his run through the Great Pacoudrie Swamp?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 15 of the book, how did the slaves in Bayou Bœuf change at Christmastime?

2. Why was Lew Cheney not liked by some of the slaves in Bayou Bœuf in Chapter 17 of the book?

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

4. In Chapter 15 of the story, what were some of the everyday things that Solomon and the other slaves did not miss at Christmastime?

5. Why did Solomon feels more like a real human being while working for Judge Turner in Chapter 14 of the book?

6. What could cause trouble for the slaves weighing the cotton that they had picked at the plantation run by Epps in Chapter 13 of the book?

7. 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?

8. How did Mr. Eldret show respect for Solomon in Chapter 11 of the book?

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

10. What happened to some of the slaves who tried to escape from a life in slavery in Chapter 17 of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Twelve Years a Slave, Author Solomon Northrup mentioned slave dealers and owners who routinely abused their slaves in cruel and inhumane ways. In doing so, he mentioned Burch, Tibeats, Epps, and others. Looking at the slave-related abuse carried out by those men and others like them, to what element(s) could their cruel and inhumane ways be attributed? Were they simply mean, angry men? Did they appear to be intoxicated when they punished or abused their slaves? Were they angry about other matters and simply wanted to take out their frustrations on their slaves? Was their environment or upbringing to blame? Was there a common thread that bound them together in relation to the punishment and abuse that they inflicted upon their slaves? How could their behavior be explained?

Select three slave owners or dealers from the names provided above, and write your reply to the questions posed in the introduction above, in relation to their abusive and inhumane treatment of slaves.

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?

(see the answer keys)

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