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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. Why does Boule de Suif refuse Cornudet their first night in Totes?

2. As they dined after the first indignant outburst the first day in Totes, the coach passengers spoke _______and thought _______.

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

4. When the clock strikes ten first day in Totes, who tells Monsieur Follenvie that "They are not to start without an order from me"?

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

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

3. What is the Prussian officer's manner and dress when he meets with the male passengers in his room and how does it contrast with the male passengers?

4. 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?

5. What does Boule de Suif remember in the coach as the passengers eat their lunch without sharing it with her at the end of "Boule de Suif" and why is it significant?

6. When the group witnesses the Prussian soldiers carrying out their duties, what does the old man tell them about his experience with the soldiers?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. How does the Prussian officer respond to the male passenger's inquiries about his refusal to let them depart and how is it significant?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hypocrisy is a major theme in Boule de Suif. Discuss who is hypocritical in the story and why.

Essay Topic 2

What is the role of religion in "Boule de Suif"?

1) How are the nuns portrayed in the story?

2) What is Boule de Suif's relationship to religion?

3) How are sacrifice, forgiveness, and sin discussed?

Essay Topic 3

Corruption is prevalent in occupied France during the Franco-Prussian war.

1) Who benefits from the corrupt political and economic system?

2) Who suffers from corruption?

3) Who abuses power and how?

(see the answer keys)

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