Uncle Tom's Cabin — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What was the initial reason for Mr. Shelby's financial difficulties that led to the sale of Uncle Tom and Harry?

Choices

  1. Mr. Shelby owed more money than he could pay to the slave trader Haley. ✓
  2. Mr. Shelby's farm was heavily mortgaged to a bank.
  3. Mr. Shelby had lost his crops due to a severe drought.
  4. Mr. Shelby had made poor investments in other ventures.

Answer: Mr. Shelby owed more money than he could pay to the slave trader Haley.

From page 1

What natural obstacle did Eliza encounter when trying to cross the Ohio River with Harry?

Choices

  1. A sudden flood had made the river too wide and dangerous to cross.
  2. A dense fog had settled over the river, preventing any boats from operating.
  3. The river was completely frozen solid, blocking all navigation.
  4. The river was breaking up with large pieces of ice, making ferry passage impossible. ✓

Answer: The river was breaking up with large pieces of ice, making ferry passage impossible.

From page 2

What law had Senator Bird supported on the same day he encountered Eliza and Harry?

Choices

  1. A law establishing stricter penalties for slave owners who mistreated their slaves.
  2. A law granting runaway slaves immediate freedom upon reaching Ohio.
  3. A law making it a crime to provide food or shelter to a runaway slave. ✓
  4. A law requiring all citizens to report runaway slaves to authorities.

Answer: A law making it a crime to provide food or shelter to a runaway slave.

From page 3

Who was the slave-catcher hired by George Harris's old master to track him and his family?

Choices

  1. Simon Legree
  2. Tom Loker ✓
  3. Haley
  4. Mr. Shelby

Answer: Tom Loker

From page 4

How did Tom come to be purchased by Augustine St. Clare?

Choices

  1. Tom rescued St. Clare's daughter, Eva, after she fell into the Mississippi River. ✓
  2. Tom offered to work for St. Clare in exchange for his freedom.
  3. St. Clare won Tom in a card game from the slave trader.
  4. St. Clare needed a new coachman and Tom was highly recommended.

Answer: Tom rescued St. Clare's daughter, Eva, after she fell into the Mississippi River.

From page 5

Who was the cousin from the North who came to manage Augustine St. Clare's household in New Orleans?

Choices

  1. Marie St. Clare
  2. Eva St. Clare
  3. Chloe
  4. Miss Ophelia ✓

Answer: Miss Ophelia

From page 6

What specific request did Eva St. Clare make of her father regarding Tom before she died?

Choices

  1. She asked him to free Tom properly and on paper. ✓
  2. She asked him to make Tom the head servant of the household.
  3. She asked him to teach Tom how to read and write.
  4. She asked him to send Tom back to Kentucky to his family.

Answer: She asked him to free Tom properly and on paper.

From page 7

What happened to Augustine St. Clare before he could sign Tom's freedom papers?

Choices

  1. He was lost at sea during a voyage to another city.
  2. He was struck and killed while intervening in a quarrel on a New Orleans street. ✓
  3. He died from a sudden illness that swept through New Orleans.
  4. He was robbed and murdered by bandits outside his home.

Answer: He was struck and killed while intervening in a quarrel on a New Orleans street.

From page 8

Why did Simon Legree have Tom beaten repeatedly on his plantation?

Choices

  1. Tom was caught trying to run away from the plantation himself.
  2. Tom attempted to organize a rebellion among the enslaved people.
  3. Tom refused to reveal where Cassy and Emmeline had escaped to in the swamp. ✓
  4. Tom refused to work in the fields due to his old age.

Answer: Tom refused to reveal where Cassy and Emmeline had escaped to in the swamp.

From page 9

What action did George Shelby take after returning to Kentucky following Tom's death?

Choices

  1. He sold the farm and moved to a free state.
  2. He started a legal campaign to abolish slavery in Kentucky.
  3. He built a monument in Tom's honor on the farm.
  4. He freed every enslaved person on his father's farm. ✓

Answer: He freed every enslaved person on his father's farm.

From page 10