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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. Who removes the dead rat from Dr Rieux's landing?

2. In what city is the story set?

3. In what important way has the plague changed?

4. What is one aspect of the plague that Dr Rieux considers?

5. What problem has the Prefect to deal with, making his job harder?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mme. Rieux concerned about her son?

2. What is the main function of the city of Oran?

3. What literary device does Camus use in Chapter 5 to accentuate meaning?

4. In what era is the story set?

5. What is Dr. Rieux worried about in Chapter 2?

6. What is the situation with plague serum?

7. How does the heatwave further discourage the citizens of Oran?

8. Why is news of the plague kept from the people?

9. Why is Jean Tarrou important in the story?

10. Why is Cottard questioned by the police?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

'The Plague shows us love, loyalty and heroic selflessness.' Discuss with close reference to three characters.

Essay Topic 2

Some people are of the opinion that the twentieth century produced no greater novel than The Plague. Why do you think people have said this? In your answer, deal with themes and characters.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Dr. Rieux has had to deal with scarcely imaginable tragedy in the wider community. At the very end, when he reasonably expected to return to a normal life, he is hit with personal trady in the deaths of his friend Tarrou and then of his beloved wife. Why is Rieux able to survive all this? What ideas and attitudes does the character of Dr. Rieux symbolise? What does he show to us about the human spirit? Write a thoughtful, detailed essay drawing on the novel as a whole.

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