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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 Bonnemort go outside to cough when the visitors are there?

2. Where does Etienne Lantier arrive the night at the beginning of the novel?

3. How many grandchildren does Bonnemort have?

4. Who is Rasseneur?

5. Who is Deneulin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Germinal starts out.

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

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

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

5. What does Deneulin ask of Chaval and what is the result?

6. What happens in the mine with Chaval, Etienne and Catherine?

7. Souvarine and Etienne have a discussion after the tragedy of the shooting. What do they talk about and what does Souvarine do?

8. In what type of situation does Bonnemort live?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The third section of the novel draws a portrait of the events that lead the miners to go on strike. It also shows the evolution of Étienne Lantier's political ideas.

1. What do you see as the stages in the evolution of Lantier's thinking from sympathy with the miners to action?

2. How might Etienne Lantier's own weaknesses have pushed him to organize the miners?

3. How did his strengths help him?

Use examples from the book to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 2

There seems to be a huge gap between the rich and poor in this novel.

1. How is this difference shown in the book?

2. Do you see this gap existing in America today? Why or why not?

3. Do you see any morality issue with the gap between the very rich and the very poor?

Use examples to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 3

As the miners march toward Montsou, their numbers grow; the more they grow, the more they feel certain of their success. This anticipated success leads the striking miners to commit acts they would not have the strength to perform individually.

1. How do the miners demonstrate the power of a crowd?

2. There are also examples of the power of an individual in the book. What were two of them?

(see the answer keys)

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