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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Bongrand have to say about Fagerolles's painting?
(a) it is a shameless copy of Claude's work.
(b) it is fit only for a French postcard.
(c) it is pandering to the masses.
(d) it is little more than a photograph.

2. How does Claude often see himself artistically?
(a) as the greatest living artist.
(b) as ahead of his time.
(c) as needing more study.
(d) as impotent.

3. Why do they return late to Paris?
(a) they get lost in the woods and miss their train.
(b) they miss their train and have to wait for the next one.
(c) they make love and forget the time.
(d) they decide to stay over for the night.

4. Why does Claude take the young woman to his studio?
(a) he expects to hire her as a maid.
(b) he wants her to sleep with him.
(c) he feels he cannot leave her outside in the storm.
(d) he wants to use her as a madel.

5. Where does Claude go to find Dubuche, the aspiring architect?
(a) Pierre Sandoz's house.
(b) the École des Beaux-Arts.
(c) the bistro where they often meet.
(d) Duquersonnièr's studio.

Short Answer Questions

1. Back in Paris, Claude returns to walking the streets and leaves what up to Christine?

2. What happens when the young woman wakes up?

3. What are the paintings that repulse Christine in Claude's studio?

4. Who is Mathilde Jabouille?

5. What strange commission does Claude get from Malgras?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does the reader understand that Claude is first and foremost an artist?

2. Explain how Sandoz maintains his artistic integrity with his novels.

3. How is history repeated with Claude and his huge canvas?

4. Explain how Claude turns on Christine as the reason his grand painting is not coming together for him.

5. Why is Claude told not to bring Christine to the Thursday night gatherings?

6. What is the physical evidence that Dubuche has already deserted to the enemy?

7. How does Zola show the domestic side of Christine?

8. Discuss the Salon des Refusés.

9. Describe the attraction Jory has developed for Mathilde.

10. In what way is Christine's response to their love making a believable part of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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