View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Irma Bécot get her revenge on Claude?
(a) by seducing him in her new mansion.
(b) by spreading gossip about him.
(c) by seducing Christine.
(d) by buying his painting and burning it.

2. Why is Christine afraid when she wakes to find Claude not in the bed with her?
(a) she thinks he might be leaving her.
(b) she thinks he is destroying his paintings.
(c) she thinks he might be suicidal.
(d) she thinks he is working too hard.

3. Which friends of Claude's show up at the funeral?
(a) fifty relatives from Plassans.
(b) no one.
(c) only Sandoz and Bongrand.
(d) all his old friends.

4. Why is Christine under so much nervous tension after they get back to Paris?
(a) too many people come to visit.
(b) Claude seldom comes home.
(c) she thinks she might be pregnant again.
(d) the studio is small and Jacques is often in the way.

5. What is the subject of Claude's snow scene?
(a) a fine carriage drawn by two white horses.
(b) snow on the tops of Paris buildings.
(c) two children building a snowman.
(d) two ragged urchins eating stolen apples.

6. To stay close to Claude and fight her rival, the painting, what does Christine decide to do?
(a) take a knife to the painting.
(b) discourage Claude by saying it is not good.
(c) clean his brushes and make great meals.
(d) be his nude model for the painting.

7. What is "varnishing day"?
(a) the day before the Salon opens.
(b) the day they frame the paintings.
(c) the day they allow art critics to view the paintings.
(d) the day they redecorate the Salon.

8. What is Claude's mistaken idea about Chaîne?
(a) that he has not changed.
(b) that he is happy.
(c) that he is rich.
(d) that he is proud of his work.

9. Who generally shows up on varnishing day?
(a) only the Paris art critics.
(b) the elite of Paris society.
(c) the artists whose works are included.
(d) the riff-raff of Paris.

10. What does Sandoz think might be better for true artists?
(a) to keep all their works until their death.
(b) to live and die an unknown.
(c) to develop a following in England.
(d) to live in Italy instead of France.

11. How does Ganière drift away from the group of former art revolutionaries?
(a) by spending all his time at concerts.
(b) by marrying his old maid music teacher.
(c) by returning to the classics.
(d) by practicing the piano many hours a day.

12. What is the wedding ceremony for Claude and Christine like?
(a) rushed and without emotion.
(b) elaborate and joyful.
(c) quick and exciting.
(d) plain but meaningful.

13. How does Christine confront Claude about the nude woman in his painting?
(a) she says that woman is really her and he should come to her.
(b) she says that woman is a curse on him.
(c) she says that woman is a trollop seducing him.
(d) she says that woman is her rival for his affections.

14. What painting is almost rejected before it is discovered to be one by a famous artist?
(a) a painting of a nude lady under a tree.
(b) a painting of people having a picnic outdoors.
(c) a painting of blue poplars.
(d) a painting of a nude man and a clothed woman.

15. Why is Sandoz being successful as a novelist?
(a) he uses Claude's art on the cover of his books.
(b) he has started turning out traditional prose.
(c) he refuses to change his ideas about modern writing.
(d) he is no longer controversial.

Short Answer Questions

1. What idea does Sandoz have that he thinks might change things for Claude?

2. Why does Mahoudeau's sculpture fall over?

3. When Christine opens the door of the bedroom, what is Claude doing?

4. What does Claude seem to taunt Christine about from gossip he has heard?

5. How do Claude's friends react to his latest painting?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 764 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample