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

Short Answer Questions

1. What promise to Etienne does Chaval break?

2. What do the miners do to the soldiers?

3. What does Etienne think about his position as leader in the strike?

4. Who owns the Jean-Bart mine?

5. What do the Montsou miners do when the Jean-Bart miners come to the surface?

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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