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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. About what do Etienne and Souvarine talk?

2. What does Etienne suggest the workers create?

3. Who is Zacharie?

4. Who is Léon Grégoire?

5. Why does Etienne Lantier go for a walk?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do the miners decide on a delegation to meet with Hennebeau and what are the results of the meeting?

3. After eating dinner in the second chapter what does Etienne do and why?

4. In what type of situation does Bonnemort live?

5. Why is it almost impossible by February for the miners to continue the strike?

6. Chaval comes in the Advantage where Etienne is talking with Rasseneur. What does he announce and what happens between him and Etienne?

7. What do the Montsou miners do when they leave Jean-Bart?

8. How do the miners get to their jobs?

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

10. What does Lantier see Jeanlin do and how does he help the boy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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