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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. 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 pulls a gun on Jan Erlone.
(c) Bigger tells Jan Erlone he doesn't need his help.
(d) Bigger runs away.

2. 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) All are correct.
(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) He tries to run from the blood, the coal, and white faces.

3. How much money does Bigger show Bessie to try to impress her?
(a) $100
(b) $225
(c) $125
(d) $175

4. Before Bigger puts more coal on the fire, what is he certain he sees in the furnace?
(a) He can't see anything because the light it out.
(b) The white cat watching him again.
(c) Peggy watching from the top of the stairs.
(d) The shape of Mary's body beneath the coals.

5. When Peggy finds Mary is not in her room what does she question Bigger about it, and what does he tell her?
(a) He confesses that Mary had been drunk the night before and that "the gentleman", Jan Erlone, insisted on driving her home, but dropped Bigger at his home first.
(b) That the "gentleman", Jan Erlone, was planning on spending the night and he was going to go with Mary to the train in the morning.
(c) That he has no idea what could have happened since Mary was fine when he left her.
(d) That the car is in the driveway because "the gentleman", Jan, was going to drive himself home the night before.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. After he recalls killing Mary Dalton, what did Bigger realize he left in plain sight of his mother and his siblings?

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

4. Why does Mr. Dalton refuse to have Jan Erlone picked up by the police for questioning?

5. How does Bigger sign the ransom note he has written to Mr. Dalton?

Short Essay Questions

1. When did Bigger realize how quickly news was going to spread that he had killed Mary?

2. As Bigger arrived at the Dalton home on the morning after Mary's murder how was he feeling?

3. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

4. Although Bigger was very quick with his deceit and able to think on his feet, so to speak, in what way was he becoming his own worst enemy?

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

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. 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.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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