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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After he returns to work at the Dalton house, what happens when Peggy asks Bigger to tend to the furnace because it has been running too hot?
(a) He hurries down the stairs to shake the ashes.
(b) He fears she suspects something and plans on how he will kill her if she discovers anything about Mary.
(c) He tells Peggy the furnace is fine, but he will check it anyway.
(d) He tells Peggy he will check the furnace later.

2. What happens when the first police officer comes through the trap door to the rooftop?
(a) Bigger knocks him unconscious.
(b) Bigger throws snowballs at him.
(c) Bigger shootes him.
(d) Bigger runs away.

3. In Book Two Bigger is feeling very confident and powerful, except when he sleeps and dreams. What does he dream about after his first meeting with Britten.
(a) He tries to run from the blood, the coal, and white faces.
(b) A church bell that turns out to be a warning bell urging him to hide himself and his package.
(c) He is carrying a package that turns out to be his own severed, bloddy head wrapped in paper.
(d) All are correct.

4. In what ways does Bigger act to give the impression he thinks Mary is asleep upstairs in her bedroom?
(a) He eats breakfast with the Daltons as though nothing unusual has happened.
(b) He asks Mrs. Dalton what time Mary's train is supposed to leave, because he doesn't want them to be late.
(c) He eats his breakfast then asks Peggy to go upstairs and find out what is taking Mary so long.
(d) He loads her trunk, waits by the car, rings the bell, then asks Peggy what he should do since Mary has not come down.

5. How many people are searching for Bigger?
(a) Eight thousand police and vigilantes.
(b) Eight thousand police officers.
(c) Five thousand vigilantes.
(d) Eight thousand armed, angry, white men.

6. What does Bigger overhear Mrs. Dalton saying to Peggy when she learns her daughter is gone?
(a) She expains that she does not trust the people Mary associates herself with, and suspects they have something to do with Mary not being home.
(b) She expresses her dislike for the people Mary travels with, and is shocked she hadn't even packed her new clothing for the trip.
(c) She admits she isn't comfortable with Bigger living in the house and wonders if he frightened her daughter away.
(d) She complains that she took her daughter shopping for expensive clothing that she didn't even pack for her trip.

7. How does Bigger sign the ransom note he has written to Mr. Dalton?
(a) "Better Red than Dead" in red ink
(b) "Red", with a drawing of a noose
(c) "J. Erlone", with a drawing of a noose
(d) "Red", with a drawing of a hammer and sickle

8. What does Jan Erlone think when he hears Bigger's lie about him?
(a) That Mr. Dalton, Britten and Bigger just hate communists.
(b) That Bigger is the person responsible for Mary's disappearance.
(c) That they are all crazy and should be looking for Mary instead of questioning him.
(d) That Mr. Dalton and Britten are making Bigger lie.

9. While hidden Bigger reads a newspaper about the search for him. Why do the authorities still think Jan Erlone is the mastermind behind the entire murder and ransom?
(a) Because coming up with such a detailed plan would be beyond the Negro mind.
(b) Because Jan Erlone refused to be released and has signed a confession.
(c) Because Jan Erlone is a communist and they hate communists.
(d) Because Mr. Dalton really liked Bigger and wanted to help him.

10. In book two when Bigger finally falls asleep after hearing Peggy and Mrs. Dalton talking about Mary, what does he recall in his dream?
(a) How Mrs. Dalton nearly caught him with Mary in her bedroom the night before.
(b) How noisy he was when he took the trunk the the basement the night before.
(c) How his mother warned him he'll end up in the gallows if he doesn't straighten out his life.
(d) How noisy he was when he took the trunk to the car that morning.

11. What happens after Jan Erlone sees Bigger on the street and offers to help him, then invites him out for coffee to talk about the situation?
(a) Jan Erlone runs away when he sees Bigger has a knife.
(b) Bigger tells Jan Erlone he doesn't need his help.
(c) Bigger runs away.
(d) Bigger pulls a gun on Jan Erlone.

12. When Bigger nearly falls off the ledge, how does the writer describe what he would fall into if he had fallen?
(a) "A boiling pot of hatred."
(b) "An ocean of boiling hate."
(c) "An ocean of cheers from the spectators below."
(d) "The waiting arms of the police."

13. What happens when Bigger climbs another ledge on the rooftop and beings crawling away?
(a) He is spotted.
(b) He gets away.
(c) He buries himself in snow so they don't see him.
(d) He hides behind a chimney.

14. How does Bigger feel committing murder has changed his life?
(a) It has given meaning to his life.
(b) He is afraid he will spend the rest of his life on the run.
(c) He feels powerful and ready to kill again.
(d) He feels it has opened the door to opportunity.

15. What did Bigger's mother say to him after she awakens the morning after the killing?
(a) She told him Bessie came to see him the night before.
(b) She wanted to know why he was there if he was supposed to live at the Dalton's house.
(c) She wanted to know what he wanted for breakfast.
(d) She wanted to know why he came in after 4 in the morning.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bigger do to Bessie after they go to the old building to hide?

2. What happens when Bigger arrives at Bessie's apartment and he tries to kiss her?

3. What happens when one of the men discovers bone and an earring in the ashes?

4. Where does Bigger place the ransom note to be certain Mr. Dalton gets it?

5. As Bigger tells his fabricated story about the previous evening to Mr. Dalton and Britten, what is he feeling?

(see the answer keys)

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