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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Maigrat when he runs from the miners?

2. What do the workers do at the Hennebeaus' house?

3. Who is knocked out in the Jean-Bart explosion?

4. What do the miners do at the entrance to the mine?

5. What do the Montsu miners do after they are finished at the Jean-Bart mine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, the idealist Étienne Lantier traversed the world of the Voreux and though accomplished little in terms of actual gains, he left the miners with a will to fight; the seed of this may eventually grow and burst again through the infertile ground of the mining pit.

1. Do you think this book ended with any shred of hope? Why or why not?

2. If you had been a miner in this situation do you think you would try again? Why or why not?

Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The first chapter also introduces the "monster," which is the huge cone-like structure set over the pit that is described as a beast ready to eat the men that slave for it.

1. How did you feel about the mine from the way Zola described it?

2. Using metaphors and analogy describe the mine as Zola sees it.

3. Why do you think Zola used metaphors in his descriptions?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 341 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample