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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which novel deals with a soul in quest of grace?
(a) The Trial.
(b) The Castle.
(c) Metamorphosis.
(d) The Life and Times of Michael K.

2. What phenomenon can humans have no experience of?
(a) True empathy.
(b) Mind.
(c) Death.
(d) Karma.

3. What does Camus suggest happens in bad novels?
(a) There is substantial over-writing, especially with descriptive passages.
(b) There is too much emphasis on structure.
(c) Thought becomes more important than style.
(d) Dialogue is poorly written and often inappropriate to character.

4. Who was Adrienne Lecouvreur?
(a) A French actress.
(b) A French composer of operetta.
(c) A French philosopher.
(d) Voltaire's mistress.

5. What binds a man to the absurd?
(a) Philosophy.
(b) His sentient nature regarding death.
(c) His consciousness of it.
(d) His intelligence.

6. What is Camus' view concerning the idea that the artist can be detached from his work?
(a) He believes the idea warrants closer examination.
(b) He believes this idea is outmoded and false.
(c) He believes this is essential in being able to form and utter critique.
(d) He supports the idea.

7. What comment has Camus to make about Malraux?
(a) His thought is inspirational and pure.
(b) His thought is confusingly expressed.
(c) His thought is bracing.
(d) He is an unappreciated genius.

8. Why are European cemeteries hideous?
(a) They are not maintained properly.
(b) They are badly planned.
(c) People beautify what they love, not what they hate--and they hate death.
(d) Only poor art-work and sculpture is used.

9. What comment does Camus make concerning suffering?
(a) It must be endured.
(b) It is ennobling.
(c) It should be avoided.
(d) It is useless.

10. What quality does Camus call 'the fatal evasion'?
(a) Mendacity.
(b) Faith.
(c) Despair.
(d) Hope.

11. What assertions are always false?
(a) That being is false and nothingness is inevitable.
(b) That everything is true and that everything is false.
(c) That everything is invisible and nothing is true.
(d) That humans are wise and invincible.

12. What were the consequences of Sisyphus putting Death in chains?
(a) People partied continuously because Death never visited them.
(b) Pluto took Medea hostage.
(c) Pluto's empire became deserted and silent.
(d) Death took a terrible revenge.

13. What is ridiculous about the writer who emulated Peregrinos?
(a) He tried to commit suicide by drowning in the Seine, but could not sink.
(b) The writer suicided in despair and his relatives benefited hugely from the royalties.
(c) The writer suicided so his book would be noticed, but the book was no good.
(d) He thought the name would make him a great travel writer, but he failed.

14. According to Camus, what is important about the idea that actions have consequences?
(a) It is the basis of the legal system in Muslim countries.
(b) It is a basic principle of child rearing.
(c) It is a basic principle in what is known as 'brain-washing'.
(d) It is the principle behind all systems of morality.

15. What status does Camus give Sisyphus?
(a) The fool.
(b) The trickster.
(c) The absurd prince.
(d) The absurd hero.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is meant by 'savoir-faire'?

2. How does Kafka express the absurd?

3. Why did the gods view Sisyphus' punishment as particularly dreadful?

4. Who is the hero of Metamorphosis?

5. What is important about an actor's fame?

(see the answer keys)

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