View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Retiring after supper on their first night in Totes, Loiseau puts his eye to the bedroom keyhole in order to discover the ________of the corridor.

2. As they begin to share the provisions Boule de Suif offers, what do they talk about?

3. At three o'clock, what does Boule de Suif remove from an enormous dish in the story?

4. What settles on the city of Rouen in the beginning of "Boule de Suif"?

5. The Prussian officer afforded a ______example of that ______bearing which seems natural to the ______soldier.

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the provisions the passengers provide in the coach from Totes described, and why is it significant?

2. What examples of women who have arrested the victorious progress of the conquerors do the passengers give Boule de Suif in order to persuade her to sleep with the Prussian officer and why is it significant?

3. What is the song Cornudet whistles and hums at the end of "Boule de Suif" and what does it mean?

4. What is Maupassant's attitude toward the old nun as the countess tries to manipulate Boule de Suif in sleeping with the Prussian officer?

5. How does the count try to persuade Boule de Suif to sleep with the Prussian, and why is it significant?

6. How does Cornudet respond to the group's celebratory sentiment regarding Boule de Suif's compliance to the Prussian officer's demand, and what is his possible motive?

7. How do the other female passengers respond to Boule de Suif's political views in the coach from Rouen and why?

8. How does Boule de Suif reject Cornudet's advances and what does it signify?

9. What does Boule de Suif say to her fellow passengers after reluctantly complying to speak with the Prussian officer who summoned her and why is it significant?

10. What analogy does Maupassant make in order to describe how the passengers discuss their strategies in approaching Boule de Suif about sleeping with the Prussian officer, and why is it significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss authorial point of view in the story.

1) What are Maupassant's views on his characters?

2) Who does he sympathize with, and why?

3) How does the tone and choice of words reveal the authorial point of view?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss class in "Boule de Suif."

1) How does class function?

2) How does class impact the characters' in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Choose 2 characters and compare and contrast their political views. What are their viewpoints on France and the war?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 854 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample