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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 will the execution take place?

2. Where does Cincinnatus see Marthe, during his trip to the location of his execution?

3. What does the spider turn into before Cincinnatus leaves for his execution?

4. What does Emmie whisper in Cincinnatus's ear?

5. What does Marthe give to Cincinnatus when she comes to see him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cincinnatus's letter to Marthe say?

2. What does Pierre realize that he has forgotten in his speech?

3. What inconsistency in Cecilia C.'s clothes does Cincinnatus point out?

4. What did Cecilia C. ask Marthe for, and what was Marthe's response?

5. What does Pierre do after the party starts breaking up, before heading back to the prison?

6. What reason does Pierre give Cincinnatus for pretending to be a prisoner?

7. What happens at the moment of Cincinnatus's execution?

8. Describe the plot of Quercus.

9. Describe what happens to Cincinnatus's cell when the tunnel is completed.

10. How does Marthe get permission to come and see Cincinnatus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the hope of escape in the novel.

1) How does Cincinnatus interpret the drawings that he finds in the library catalog? How does he interpret the scratching sounds he hears in the wall?

2) Does hope of escape play a role in keeping Cincinnatus in prison? What would be necessary, in order for Cincinnatus to escape?

3) Who does Cincinnatus put his hope into? What does he expect from Emmie, Pierre, or other characters who might help him in some way?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss communication in the novel.

1) Why does Cincinnatus believe he has communicated with whoever he hears digging a tunnel beyond his wall? How does he feel about having communicated? What does he hope to gain through this communication?

2) How does Cincinnatus use his writing to try to communicate? What is he trying to communicate, and to whom?

3) In what other ways does Cincinnatus try to communicate with those around him? What are the obstacles to communication?

Essay Topic 3

Cincinnatus's mother Cecelia C. is one of the few people to visit him in prison. Discuss Cecelia C.'s role in the novel.

1) What is Cincinnatus's attitude toward his mother?

2) Why does Cecelia C. come to see him in prison? What does her attitude toward Cincinnatus seem to be? Why did she abandon her son, and why does she come to see him again?

3) How is Cecelia C.'s visit different from the other visits Cincinnatus receives in prison? How is he similar to his mother? How are they different? What affect does the visit have on Cincinnatus?

(see the answer keys)

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