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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 do the Maheus invite Etienne to live with them?

2. How many grandchildren does Bonnemort have?

3. How do the visitors treat the people in the village?

4. What does Etienne create with advice from his friend Pluchart?

5. Why is the innkeeper friendly with Etienne?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in the Maheu house that makes the situation so desperate and deadly?

2. What do the women of the community try to get from Maigrat?

3. What has La Maheude troubled and what does she do about it?

4. What does Lantier talk to Deneulin about and what are the results?

5. What does Mrs. Hennebeau do in the second section of the book?

6. Why has Etienne come to the mine?

7. What do the miners demand of Mr. Hennebeau?

8. What happens to Etienne as he works in the mines, as far as his job is concerned?

9. What happens in the mine in November and what was the consequences?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the first chapter, everything is set in the dark of night; the only lighting is provided either by the moonlight or by the fire burning inside the chunks of coal.

1. Why do you think GERMINAL starts at night?

2. How does the dark relate to the book's themes?

3. Did you see any foreshadowing from the darkness in the beginning of the book? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The weight of long-established traditions appears again when Chaval asserts his dominance over Catherine.

1. What do you think is the status of women at this time and place?

2. Do women seem to have more, less or about the same power as men?

3. Why do you think Chaval felt he owned Catherine after raping her?

Use examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses the environment to underline the symbolic value of Étienne Lantier's move from timid indignation to effective political action. For instance, Lantier and his supporters decide to leave the tavern of the Rasseneurs and move to another meeting place because the former serve "warm beer" and "bad soup."

1. What other situations in the environment to you see reflecting the situations with the miners?

2. How did Etienne's relationships with the miners and the Maheu family reflect his change from outsider to political leader?

(see the answer keys)

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