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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. Why did the Grégoires refuse to help the miners?

2. Why do the Maheus see Catherine moving out as a traitor act to the family?

3. What type of job did Etienne have previously?

4. Who is Zacharie?

5. Who does Etienne meet on the first day of the job that he likes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Chaval's actions affect Catherine and how does Etienne feel about it?

2. What do the Montsou miners do when they leave Jean-Bart?

3. What do the miners demand of Mr. Hennebeau?

4. What happens outside the mine after the mine is flooded?

5. What happens in the Maheu house that makes the situation so desperate and deadly?

6. Why does Catherine return home during the strike and what does she see?

7. Souvarine and Etienne have a discussion after the tragedy of the shooting. What do they talk about and what does Souvarine do?

8. Why does Etienne Lantier set up a meeting with the miners and what happens at that meeting?

9. Who is Denneulin and what does he want from Léon Grégoire?

10. What happens in the mine with Chaval, Etienne and Catherine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The weight of long-established traditions appears again when Chaval asserts his dominance over Catherine.

1. What do you think is the status of women at this time and place?

2. Do women seem to have more, less or about the same power as men?

3. Why do you think Chaval felt he owned Catherine after raping her?

Use examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

The third section of the novel draws a portrait of the events that lead the miners to go on strike. It also shows the evolution of Étienne Lantier's political ideas.

1. What do you see as the stages in the evolution of Lantier's thinking from sympathy with the miners to action?

2. How might Etienne Lantier's own weaknesses have pushed him to organize the miners?

3. How did his strengths help him?

Use examples from the book to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 3

The first chapter also introduces the "monster," which is the huge cone-like structure set over the pit that is described as a beast ready to eat the men that slave for it.

1. How did you feel about the mine from the way Zola described it?

2. Using metaphors and analogy describe the mine as Zola sees it.

3. Why do you think Zola used metaphors in his descriptions?

(see the answer keys)

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