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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. How do the visitors treat the people in the village?

2. What do the miners decide to do when the company lowers their pay?

3. Why is La Maheude upset about her family?

4. What is one of the reasons Etienne thinks he might be working in the mine?

5. What does Chaval do as Etienne is getting ready to kiss Catherine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Etienne as he works in the mines, as far as his job is concerned?

2. What happens to Catherine at the Jean-Bart mine?

3. How does Etienne's move affect his relationship with Catherine?

4. Where does Etienne move in August and why?

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

6. What happens at the Hennebeaus' house when they are hosting a party?

7. What is the social scene like in the village?

8. What does Lantier create for the miners to join and what is one of his first projects?

9. What happens to the strike of the miners as time goes by?

10. Why do Chaval and Etienne not get along?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grégoire summarizes the entire position of the typical bourgeois.

1. What do you see as his position?

2. What parts of Gregoire's position do you believe is true? What parts do you see as false?

3. Do you believe the wealthy class in America today would agree with Gregoire's position on the miners? Why or why not?

Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The triumphs of collectivism are short lived and their assurance follows the path of their deteriorating conditions of living.

1. Why and how do you think the triumphant collectivism of the miners being focused together deteriorated?

2. How do you think the focused collectivism of an organized body, such as an army, can remain stable as opposed to the miners?

3. Do you think organization and strong leadership are always necessary in order for a group to work together?

Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses the environment to underline the symbolic value of Étienne Lantier's move from timid indignation to effective political action. For instance, Lantier and his supporters decide to leave the tavern of the Rasseneurs and move to another meeting place because the former serve "warm beer" and "bad soup."

1. What other situations in the environment to you see reflecting the situations with the miners?

2. How did Etienne's relationships with the miners and the Maheu family reflect his change from outsider to political leader?

(see the answer keys)

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