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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. What does Madame Francois do to help Francois?

2. Who is the only person who knows that Florent has escaped from Devil's Island?

3. What is the primary form of communication in Les Halles?

4. Why is Gavard glad that Florent has his new job?

5. Who is the only woman in the fish market who is kind to Florent?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Florent's main challenge is adjusting to Parisian life?

2. What do the women find in Gavard's rooms and what do they do with it?

3. Why is Gavard happy that Florent has accepted a job as a fish inspector?

4. Why does Gradelle hire La Belle Lisa?

5. Where is Uncle Gradelle's money found and what do Lisa and Quenu do with it?

6. What does La Belle Lisa do with the photograph she finds?

7. How does Florent meet La Belle Normande and what does she do that upsets him?

8. What proof of an insurrection does La Belle Lisa find and what decision does she make regarding Florent?

9. Explain Florent's escape from Devil's Island and his journey back to Paris.

10. To what does Florent liken a huge belly?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Quenu. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 2

Zola uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the novel and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

Although the vendors live on the fringe of acceptable society, they take care of each other. What is the bond between the characters in Les Halles that makes them want to help each other even when others won't? Is there a common denominator among the Les Halles market society that they recognize themselves in each other? Explain some situations in the book where the Les Halles vendors exhibit humanity toward one another.

(see the answer keys)

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