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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In book two, how do the reporters decide to frame their stories?
(a) That the negros want to be left alone and the communists forcing their beliefs on them.
(b) That the communists have plotted the kidnapping and are blaming it on Bigger.
(c) That the communists and the negros are working together to get the ransom.
(d) That negros are becomming more involved with communisim.

2. What did Buddy tell Bigger happened the night before?
(a) That Bigger's girlfriend, Bessie, came to see him and that she was angry he wasn't there.
(b) That he would keep quiet for a price.
(c) That their mother was happy he got the job.
(d) That Bigger's girlfriend, Bessie, came to see him the night before and talked about marriage.

3. What keeps stopping Bigger from shaking down the ashes in the furnace?
(a) Fear and dread
(b) He doesn't know the ashes need to be removed.
(c) He wants to make sure Mary's body is completely burned.
(d) He is afraid of burning himself.

4. Where does Bigger place the ransom note to be certain Mr. Dalton gets it?
(a) On Mr. Dalton's desk in his office.
(b) Under the back door.
(c) Under the front door.
(d) In the Dalton mail box.

5. On the streetcar on the way to Bessie's apartment what does Bigger want to shout?
(a) That he was lucky to have a good job.
(b) That he knew something they didn't know.
(c) That he killed a rich, white girl.
(d) That he was in love with a beautiful girl.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much money does Bigger show Bessie to try to impress her?

2. What happens when Britten backs Bigger against the wall and grabs his collar asking him about the pamphlets Jan Erlone gave him?

3. How is building Bigger chose as the lookout point for the money drop described in the story.

4. How do the police finally catch Bigger?

5. What does Bigger begin to wish for all blacks?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the one problem Bigger feels he has to do before he will be okay?

2. What kind of power did Bigger have over Bessie that she continued to obey his direction even though she knew it was wrong?

3. When Bigger awoke in the morning after Mary's death, what happened when he remembered what he had done the night before?

4. Why did Bigger decide to try to blame Jan and the Communist Party for the kidnapping?

5. What did Bigger's brother, Buddy, have to say to him?

6. What is the Loeb and Leopold case that gave Bigger the idea to pretend Mary was kidnapped and collect a ransom?

7. Describe Bigger's treatment when he was finally caught.

8. Bigger was very much interested in reading about himself in the newspapers. Of what significance was this?

9. The morning after Mary's killing, as Bigger rode the street car on his way back to the Dalton house, he spent a lot of time reflecting on the plight of black people. Explain what Bigger thought would be a solution to their fear and shame.

10. In Book two, what does Bigger do at the drug store?

(see the answer keys)

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