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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. How does Rieux break with policy?

2. What is now possible for Rambert?

3. What is different about Tarrou's journal at this point?

4. What important experience shaped Tarrou's view of capital punishment?

5. Why are newspaper reports optimistic?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the situation in the camps for people in quarantine?

2. Explain the nature of the irony in the beginning of Part 5 Chapter 3.

3. How are local printing firms and newspapers able to profit by people's fear of the plague?

4. What is the reason for Rambert's decision?

5. How is it possible for Cottard to help Rambert?

6. Account for the difference tenor and content of Fr Paneloux's new sermon, compared with that he gave at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer.

7. What gives the people cause for hope in Part 5 Chapter 1?

8. What is Tarrou's philosophy?

9. In what way is Cottard shown to be different from other characters in The Plague?

10. Why cannot jubilation be complete at this point (Part 5 Chapter 1)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In your own words, describe the setting of the city of Oran. Do you think this setting is an appropriate one for Camus' novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

'The Plague shows us the way people deal with adversity.' People's responses to adversity are affected by their strength of character, or the lack thereof, as well as their outlook on life. Examine the popular responses to the plague situation and compare these with Dr. Rieux's.

Essay Topic 3

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

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