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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. What does Chaval do as Etienne is getting ready to kiss Catherine?

2. How old is Etienne Lantier?

3. What is a ducasse?

4. What does the grocer want in order to help La Maheude?

5. For what is Etienne hired?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Etienne see Jeanlin do one night and what does Etienne do and find out?

2. How do the miners feel about the supervisors?

3. How did Etienne get a job and what will he be doing?

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

5. What does Lantier create for the miners to join and what is one of his first projects?

6. On pay day in October what angers the miners and what do they do about it?

7. Describe a little of Bonnemort.

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

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

10. How do the Grégoires repond to La Maheude's request for help?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

By befriending a soldier, Lantier discovers he (Lantier) is not that different from the people against whom he is fighting. Both men share hopes, dreams and memories; both wish for the same kind of life and in the end, they can only be differentiated by the master they serve.

1. Do you think this statement could be true in any situation where one person or group of persons consider another an enemy? Use an example from the text and from life now in the United States to illustrate this statement.

2. If two enemies were placed in a room and had to stay together for one month without fighting do you think they would be enemies at the end of that month? Why or why not?

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)

This section contains 1,099 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample