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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. 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 decide to stay over for the night.
(d) they make love and forget the time.

2. What strange commission does Claude get from Malgras?
(a) a still life painting of a lobster
(b) a painting of ducks.
(c) a small painting of Christine.
(d) a still life painting of books.

3. Who is Mathilde Jabouille?
(a) a wealthy patron ordering a bust of herself.
(b) the fat wife of the skinny herbalist.
(c) the woman Pierre and Claude saw in the herbalist's window.
(d) a common trollop who loves Mahoudeau.

4. How does Christine re-enter Claude's life?
(a) they meet accidentally at the Louvre.
(b) she commissions a painting.
(c) she drops by with a thank you gift.
(d) she asks him to pay her for modeling.

5. Who is the journalist who drops in while Pierre and Claude are visiting Mahoudeau and Chaîne?
(a) Irma.
(b) Jory.
(c) Mathilde.
(d) Hugo.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who now has a mansion near Claude's and Christine's cottage?

2. What suggestion does Pierre make to Claude about Christine?

3. Realizing the people are laughing at his painting, what is Claude's reaction?

4. How does Bongrand get rid of Naudet when he comes to buy one of his paintings?

5. Why does Christine pack up everything to return to Paris?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Zola show that the young woman is a proper young lady and not a trollop as Claude suspects?

3. What is it that frightens Christine about Claude?

4. How does Claude hurt Christine deeply with his complaint about her dinner?

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

6. How does Sandoz know that there is trouble brewing as the group of friends go out after the Salon?

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

8. When Naudet shows up at Bongrand's studio, why does he refuse to sell him his paintings?

9. Describe the mood at the beginning of the novel.

10. As the character of Claude develops in the novel, what appears to be his greatest fault?

(see the answer keys)

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