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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. How do the Janizaries try to stave off their hunger?

2. Why does the old lady say she is being kind to Candide?

3. To what lot was the old woman born?

4. What does Candide say about Cunégonde's scar?

5. How much does the Baroness weigh?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the characters at the farm decide to do at the end of the novel and why?

2. What philosophical background does Martin claim and how does he describe this perspective?

3. As Candide and Martin are walking to dinner one night, who accosts them and what does he say?

4. What is shocking about Candide's gift to King Theodore?

5. What does Pangloss tell Candide has happened to Cunégonde?

6. The old woman's story, what happened to the princess at the hands of the Janizaries?

7. What is the reason behind the quarrels between Don Issachar and the Grand Inquisitor?

8. Why is it apparent that the Baron is one of the most powerful lords in the area?

9. Why does Candide choose being shot instead of the regimental flogging?

10. What is ironic about Jacques' death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on satire as a literary device. Explain how satire can get a point across without being confrontational. What is the role of satire in CANDIDE? How would the book be different without satire present?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, several religious figures are introduced. How do these religious figures contribute to the plot of the novel? Do these religious characters think of themselves as morally superior? How true or untrue are their assessments of their own morality? How do religion and religious figures contribute to the meaning of the novel as a whole?

Essay Topic 3

Candide's adventures serve as a frame story for the other characters' stories. How is the frame story style significant to the novel? Why do you think the author has chosen to present the stories using a frame? Do you think this is a successful endeavor?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 755 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample