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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What else does Dr Rieux muse about in relation to the plague?
(a) Its geography.
(b) Its symptoms/manifestations.
(c) Its power.
(d) Its use as a biological weapon.

2. What is one aspect of the plague that Dr Rieux considers?
(a) Its cure.
(b) Its treatment.
(c) Its history.
(d) Its future.

3. What important meeting takes place?
(a) The Prefect meets with ratcatchers.
(b) The Prefect meets a committee of concerned citizens.
(c) The Prefect meets a committee of doctors.
(d) The Prefect meets Dr. Rieux's wife.

4. Where do notices about the disease appear?
(a) In cinema advertisements.
(b) In magazines, posters and conema advertising.
(c) In newspapers and on posters.
(d) By direct mail put through letter-boxes.

5. After the sermon, what happens in the town?
(a) People go back to work.
(b) People are motivated to help the plague victims.
(c) People couldn't care less.
(d) People panic.

6. What interesting character enters the novel at this point?
(a) Dr Rieux's mother-in-law.
(b) The Oran water supply.
(c) The plague itself.
(d) Inspector Clouseau.

7. What is the problem regarding the city gates?
(a) They were closed too late to make a difference.
(b) They were closed before the announcement was made.
(c) They cannot be closed.
(d) They are not high enough and people escape.

8. What human attitude concerns Rieux?
(a) Humans' quick acceptance of reality.
(b) Human infallibility.
(c) Humans' inability to accept reality.
(d) Human prejudice and warmongering.

9. What is NOT a symptom of the plague?
(a) Fear of water (hydrophobia).
(b) Delerium.
(c) Buboes.
(d) Extreme thirst.

10. Why is M. Grand an interesting character?
(a) He has solved a great mystery.
(b) He leads an adventurous life.
(c) His life is not fulfilling, yet there is a mystery about him.
(d) He has discovered something amazing hidden in the municipal archives.

11. What is Rieux's attitude to religion and God?
(a) He is not a believer.
(b) He believes ardently and attends Mass regularly.
(c) He believes religion is all right some of the time.
(d) He is open to being converted.

12. Who preaches the closing sermon at High Mass?
(a) A firebrand Dominican priest.
(b) Cardinal Richelieu.
(c) Fr Paneloux.
(d) The Bishop of Marseilles.

13. What measures is the Prefect forced to take?
(a) Traffic control and rationing of food and electricity.
(b) Traffic control, cinema closure and water rationing.
(c) Putting armed guards at all liquor outlets and rationing water.
(d) Arresting anyone who drinks in the street and closing the cinemas.

14. How is the city situated geographically?
(a) It is close to a plateau.
(b) It is the middle of a plateau.
(c) It is dominated by mountains.
(d) It is next to delightful coastal beaches.

15. What important change in people's behavior does Tarrou record?
(a) That they laugh at the plague.
(b) That everyone laughs, especially drunks.
(c) That nobody laughs, except drunks.
(d) That they are more tolerant of drunks.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Rieux worried about?

2. How has Rieux's work-load increased?

3. What is the town's response to the Week of Prayer?

4. Who is the first victim of the plague?

5. What does Grand reveal?

(see the answer keys)

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