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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. Who is Rasseneur?

2. How many members of the Maheu family work in the mines?

3. Why did the Grégoires refuse to help the miners?

4. Where do the Grégoires live?

5. Why was Etienne fired from his previous job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Catherine at the Jean-Bart mine?

2. Describe how Germinal starts out.

3. In what type of situation does Bonnemort live?

4. Why were the Montsou miners angry at the Jean-Bart miners?

5. What does Lantier do when the miners begin to reject him?

6. How does Chaval's actions affect Catherine and how does Etienne feel about it?

7. How does the company seem after the killing of the miners by the soldiers and what does it say?

8. Why does Etienne Lantier set up a meeting with the miners and what happens at that meeting?

9. What happens outside the mine after the mine is flooded?

10. What do Etienne and Catherine decide to do after the tragedy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Zola uses a writing style and a combination of techniques that are equivalent to the painting style and techniques of the late nineteenth century impressionists.

1. How do you think Zola's writing style relates to the theme and plot of the book?

2. How do you think the impact of the book would change had Zola used a more concrete writing style?

Essay Topic 2

The triumphs of collectivism are short lived and their assurance follows the path of their deteriorating conditions of living.

1. Why and how do you think the triumphant collectivism of the miners being focused together deteriorated?

2. How do you think the focused collectivism of an organized body, such as an army, can remain stable as opposed to the miners?

3. Do you think organization and strong leadership are always necessary in order for a group to work together?

Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The fourth part of the novel outlines the positions of the two camps involved in the growing conflict - the miners and the Company's representatives.

1. Why do you think the mine owners are unwilling to listen to the miners?

2. Do you think the miners were demanding too much from the mine owners? Why or why not?

3. If you were a negotiator between these two groups how would you attempt to forge an agreement?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 976 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample