View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of case is to follow Meursault's in court?

2. How does Meursault feel about Marie's attempts to instill hope?

3. How does imprisonment and interrogation change Meursault's belief in God?

4. When does the local magistrate question Meursault?

5. Besides cigarettes, what does Meursault miss while he is in prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the events surrounding Meursault's killing of the Arab.

2. What is Meursault's mindset by the time Marie comes to visit him and why?

3. How do Meursault's feelings about God and repentance compare to other people in his situation?

4. As the trial progresses, how does Meursault handle the trial and why?

5. What does the magistrate question Meursault about and what is Meursault's answer?

6. What can Meursault see outside his prison cell?

7. Describe what Meursault notices as he is placed in the interrogation room for the first time?

8. What do Raymond, Masson, and Meursault do immediately after the knife fight on the beach?

9. Describe Meursault's realization about punishment.

10. Who does Meursault's attorney talk to and what does he find when he investigates Meursault's background?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Meursault seems to remember very little when questioned about the shooting. Write an essay discussing the role of memory in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

In much of the novel, Meursault seems to be resigned to his fate. Write an essay examining the idea of fate and discussing how it is explored in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Select a character from the novel. Then write an essay in which you evaluate whether the character is portrayed consistently.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 668 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample