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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. When did Baudelaire die?

2. What nationality was Voltaire?

3. What does "une maniere de sentir" mean?

4. How long has the Saturnian, who accompanies Micromegas on his journey, been married?

5. According to Jean Bridelle, in the beginning of "Minuet", what has he seen at close range?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Desplein saw the earth.

2. Why is Horace surprised that Desplein attended a mass?

3. According to Jean Bridelle, in "Minuet," what is the most violent grief a man and mother can bear?

4. In "The Old Clown," why were people "sprawled everywhere?"

5. Who cursed Julian? Why?

6. According to "The Poor Boy's Toy," how do rich children differ from poor ones?

7. What do the men on the ship tell Micromegas and the Saturnian their time is spent doing?

8. Why is Micromegas and the Saturnian surprised by the men on the ship?

9. Why is Micromegas' name appropriate?

10. Explain the prophecy and circumstances about his future that Julian's father heard.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the prophecies that Julian's parents received about their son. How do the prophecies conflict with each other? How do they feed into each other? Which prophecy seems to be more important to each individual parent? Why? How is this typical of the times and circumstances in which the prophecy was given?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one character from one of the stories. Who is this character? What does the story tell readers specifically about the character? What must readers infer about the character? What are the characters strengths and weaknesses? What conflict does the character face? What does the character learn or refuse to learn? What do the character's decisions tall readers about the character?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the story "The Poor Boy's Toy." What does each of the point-of-views in the story represent? What do you think that Baudelaire is trying to say? Is this story one of morality or social standing? What is the meaning behind Baudelaire's story?

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