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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. Where does the ship that Candide, Cunégonde and the old lady are sailing on finally land?

2. What happens when the old woman, Candide, and Cunégonde stop at the inn?

3. When Pangloss and Candide walk around in Lisbon, what catastrophe strikes?

4. Who is the court's banker?

5. To whom was the old woman betrothed?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Martin and Candide land in Portsmouth, England, what do they witness? How does this affect Candide?

2. How is Candide rescued after his flogging?

3. How did Pangloss manage to survive the auto-da-fé?

4. Getting away from France, Candide and Martin land in Portsmouth, England, where they witness an execution. Describe Candide's curiosity.

5. Describe the Jesuit government as explained by Cacambo.

6. How do Candide and Cacambo manage to avoid being eaten by the Oreillons in Chapter 16?

7. What was Pangloss' story of his enslavement?

8. What is ironic about Jacques' death?

9. What kinds of events happened as part of the preparations for the Princess of Palestrina's wedding?

10. When Candide reunites with Paquette, the maid from Westphalia, how does she describe her life since they last were together and what details does she provide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For several centuries, psychologists, socialists, and educators have argued the effects of nature vs. nurture. Although this argument may be somewhat anachronistic when applied to Candide, try to examine Candide and the other characters through a nature vs. nurture lens. Which characters provide support for each side? Are some characters affected by their surroundings more than others? Do you think this is a factor of their surroundings or of their natural temperament?

Essay Topic 2

Martin says that "private griefs are crueler even than public miseries." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use examples from the text to back up your argument.

Essay Topic 3

At the beginning of the novel, Candide's life in the setting of the castle at Westphalia is described. However Candide is quickly removed from this setting and forced to begin his travels. What purpose does this setting serve as it is only introduced into the novel for a short time? Does Westphalia serve as a reference point for the novel? What do you think the meaning of this setting is? Is the setting of Westphalia important for Candide? Why or why not?

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