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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. In what era is the story set?

2. What is Rieux worried about?

3. In what city is the story set?

4. Where is this information to be found?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tarrou record about M. Othon?

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

3. What factors are making life stressful for Dr. Rieux?

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

5. What is the problem about the announcements being made about the disease?

6. How do people react to Fr. Paneloux's sermon?

7. Why is Jean Tarrou important in the story?

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

9. What does Dr. Rieux muse about in Part 1 Chapter 5?

10. Why have telegrams become the main means of contact ordinary people now have with the outside world?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Identify the sub-plots in The Plague. These concern the stories of certain characters. In an essay, show how the stories of characters compel us to be interested in the main plot--the struggle against the antagonist, which is the plague itself.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Tarrou, Grand and Cottard. In what ways do these characters develop during the course of the novel? In what ways are their stories resolved?

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