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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. 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 killed a rich, white girl.
(c) That he knew something they didn't know.
(d) That he was in love with a beautiful girl.

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

3. What idea does Bigger get after Bessie mentions he is working near the site of the Leopold and Loeb case?
(a) Blaming Mary's disappeareance on Leopold and Loeb
(b) That he and Bessie should go out on the town
(c) Contacting Leopold and Loeb for advice
(d) Kidnapping and ransom

4. What does Bigger give his friends when he sees them the morning after Mary's murder?
(a) Money and cigars
(b) Candy and gum
(c) A dollar and a pack of cigarettes
(d) A cigarette and a roll of dollars

5. What does Bigger say when Bessie asks if he murdered Mary Dalton?
(a) He denies killing Mary, but admits he stole money from her.
(b) He admits that he killed Mary and threatens Bessie, too.
(c) He laughs and says Mary killed herself by jumping in the river and he just watched.
(d) He admits that he killed Mary and tells Bessie he'll tell everyone she helped him.

Short Answer Questions

1. In book two, how do the reporters decide to frame their stories?

2. How many people are searching for Bigger?

3. The South Side Real Estate Company is what to Bigger?

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

5. What does the white cat do while Bigger is being questioned by the police and reporters?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What was the argument Bigger had with his family as he tried to pack his things the day after Mary's death?

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

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

7. What was Bigger's fatal mistake in his plan to dispose of Mary's body?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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