Question

which of the following best describes the fugitive slave act
a law that made slaves fugitives.
a law that made it illegal for slaves to escape their masters.
a law that made it illegal to not return runaway slaves back to their masters.
a law that made it illegal to not return runaway slaves to their owners and made it illegal to help slaves escape and remain free

Explanation:

The Fugitive Slave Act required the return of runaway slaves and made it illegal to assist them in escaping. The last option (the fourth one, though labeled as a single - option choice here) accurately describes it: it made it illegal to not return runaway slaves to their owners and also illegal to help slaves escape and remain free. The first option is too vague, the second option's wording is incorrect (it's about returning, not not returning), and the third option is the opposite of what the act did.

Answer:

A law that made it illegal to not return runaway slaves to their owners and made it illegal to help slaves escape and remain free (the last option among the given choices).