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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 "Boule de Suif," who is the "terror of all respectable people"?

2. What object does Cornudet use that is described as "admirably colored to a black the shade of its owner's teeth"?

3. In the beginning of "Boule de Suif," what are the "Avengers of Defeat," "Citizens of the Tomb," and "Brethren in Death."

4. What does Monsieur Follenvie announce about the Prussian officer as the passengers are about to sit down to dinner the first day in Totes?

5. After night falls, what does Madame de Breville offer Boule de Suif when the cold makes her shiver in the coach?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Boule de Suif respond to the Prussian's inquiry about whether or not she has changed her mind, and why is it significant?

2. What is the passengers' attitude toward Boule de Suif on their second day of detention in Totes?

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

4. In watching the Prussian officers carrying out their duties, who prefers to stay at the inn because they are indignant at their friendly interaction and why?

5. What does Cornudet notice about the Loiseaus during their card game before dinner the first day in Totes?

6. What does Boule de Suif bring for lunch and why is it significant?

7. What is significant about the men's conversation when they meet at the coach before daybreak?

8. What kind of duties are the Prussian soldiers engaged in when the male passengers search for the coach driver in town, and why is it surprising?

9. What is the atmosphere among the coach passengers when they arrive in Totes, and how is it significant?

10. How are the ten passengers permitted to leave Rouen for Havre by way of Dieppe and why is it significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Boule de Suif's betrayal in the story. Who betrays her and why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare and contrast Boule de Suif and Cornudet.

1) What makes them outsiders in the story and why?

2) Who is more or less sympathetic and why?

3) Who has more power and why?

(see the answer keys)

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