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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 way are people allowed to communicate with those outside the city?

2. Who preaches the closing sermon at High Mass?

3. What is the main message of the closing sermon at High Mass?

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

5. What does Rieux ask Jean Tarrou to do for him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Tarrou record about M. Othon?

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

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

6. Why is Cottard questioned by the police?

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

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

9. Who is Jean Tarrou?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Weather conditions in Oran are frequently described at important points in the novel. Examine the ways three of these are connected emotionally or thematically with the action and/or characters in the novel.

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

The blurb on the cover of the Penguin Edition of The Plague (c. 1969) says that the novel 'expresses most clearly the author's basic humanitarianism'. In a detailed essay, account for this point of view.

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