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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. In one word, describe the type of work that Edwin Epps' slave driver did for him.

2. The approach toward Solomon by two individuals on the Epps Plantation signaled which of the following?

3. What concerned Solomon the most after Bass wrote and sent letters to those who might be able to help him regain his freedom?

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

5. What was the inspiration behind the name of the area that known as "Bayou Bœuf"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of consequences did Epps have to face for chasing the young and beautiful slave, Patsey in Chapter 16 of the book?

2. What could cause trouble for the slaves weighing the cotton that they had picked at the plantation run by Epps in Chapter 13 of the book?

3. How did Mr. Eldret show respect for Solomon in Chapter 11 of the book?

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

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

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

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

9. In Chapter 14 of the book, how did the slaves manage to add variety to the food that was available to them to eat on a daily basis?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Based on his overall handling of the feud between Solomon and his master, John M. Tibeats, it could be said that Mr. Chapin, who oversaw William Ford’s plantation was a fair and honorable man.

Detail how Mr. Chapin earned the labeling of being fair and honorable. Did he do anything in relation to William Ford to earn that labeling? Specifically, what did he do in relation to the feud between Solomon and John M. Tibeats to gain a fair and honorable status? Did Mr. Chapin do anything or fail to do anything in relation to Ford, Solomon, or Tibeats that might have brought his status into question? If yes, please detail.

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