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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. When they arrive at Totes, the mood at supper after Boule de Suif returns from her meeting with the Prussian officer is characterized as what?

2. The Prussian officer who often dined at the same table with the family, expressed sympathy with __________.

3. Why does Cornudet follow Boule de Suif to her room their first night in Totes?

4. What instrument does Monsieur Follenvie's chest sound like during the card game the first day in Totes?

5. In the beginning of "Boule de Suif," the anguish of _______made men even desire the arrival of the________ .

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the passengers begin to call Boule de Suif in order to persuade her to sleep with the Prussian officer?

2. Why does Loiseau take off his watch chain in the kitchen as the coach passengers discuss the Prussian officer's motives, and how is it significant?

3. How does the countess and Madame Loiseau react to Boule de Suif's misery in the coach at the end of "Boule de Suif"?

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

5. What is the weather like as the passengers wait for the coach to be ready and how is it significant?

6. What is the reaction among the passengers when Monsieur Follenvie comes in to inquire about whether Elisabeth Rousset has changed her mind?

7. What are Boule de Suif's political views and what do they signify?

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

9. Why does Cornudet whistle and hum in the coach at the end of "Boule de Suif"?

10. When the passengers congregate in the kitchen to discuss the Prussian's motives for detaining them the first day, what are their assumptions and how are they significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss sex in the story.

1) How is sex used as a weapon against Boule de Suif?

2) How is Boule de Suif a victim of her profession?

Essay Topic 2

Compare & contrast Cornudet and the Prussian officer.

1) What are the similarities in their treatment of Boule de Suif?

2) What are the differences in their treatment of Boule de Suif?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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