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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 type of work did Mr. Eldret have Solomon handle for him?

2. What was likely to be Epps' reason for ordering Solomon back to work soon after his illness?

3. How can it best be said that Solomon described Bass?

4. In general, how did Solomon describe how Bass was regarded by others?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 19 of the book, how did Samuel Bass cooperate with Solomon in terms of helping him get his freedom restored?

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

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

4. 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?

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

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

7. In Chapter 16 of the book, how did Solomon lead Epps to believe that he was making the slaves work hard in the cotton field?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Author Solomon Northrup discussed the fact that planters treated their slaves as property. Northrup described how slave after slave was beaten by his or her planter, to the point of scarring them, thus lowering the slave’s value; or causing immobilization to the point that the slave was no longer able to work.

Should the planters’ behavior in beating their slaves therefore, been considered self-destructive in nature since in essence upon beating their slaves, the planters were reducing the value of or destroying their own property? Please state your position, plus list and discuss the reason(s) upon which you are relying to support your position.

Essay Topic 2

At the age of 33, Solomon's name was changed to "Platt" by slave trader, Theophilus Freeman. It was an unwanted name that Solomon was forced to keep during the twelve years that he was enslaved; and it nearly kept him from being located by Lawyer Henry B. Northrup as his days in slavery were about to come to an end.

Discuss whether the name, "Platt" affected Solomon throughout his life as a slave. If it affected him, explain how; and how he coped with or adjusted to having to live by "Platt" during the time of his enslavement.

If in the alternative in your estimation, the name change did not affect him, explain why that was; and how you were able to tell.

Essay Topic 3

Bayou Bœuf slave owner, William Ford was in the business of selling lumber; and Edwin Epps was in the business of selling cotton.

Explain: Between both men, who was richer? Ford? Or Epps? What made one richer than the other? The type of business that they were in? The way that they treated their help? Was one better at negotiating price than the other? Did religion play any part in one being richer than the other? Why or why not?

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