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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. Who preaches the closing sermon at High Mass?

2. What is NOT a symptom of the plague?

3. In what way is the character similar emotionally to the townspeople?

4. What measures is the Prefect forced to take?

5. To whom does Rieux disclose that the apris serum is not ideally effective?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the problem about the announcements being made about the disease?

2. In what era is the story set?

3. Who is Raymond Rambert?

4. What is the situation with plague serum?

5. What does M. Grand reveal in Part 2 Chapter 4?

6. How does the heatwave further discourage the citizens of Oran?

7. Who is Jean Tarrou?

8. Why is Jean Tarrou important in the story?

9. What is the popular mood as described in Part 2 Chapter 5?

10. What is the main function of the city of Oran?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Plague includes conflict between certain ideologies and world views. For example, between those who do not believe in Christianity (like Dr. Rieux) and those who do. There is also action that represents the conflict between the interests of the individual and those of society. Select an area of ideological conflict that interests you and discuss the way this is represented in The Plague. Is the conflict resolved?

Essay Topic 2

Usually in a novel there is a network of conflict between characters. While some of this happens in The Plague (think of Rambert's efforts to escape the city), it is minimal. What is the source of conflict in The Plague? Is it internal, external or a combination? How does this conflict arise and how is it worked out?

Essay Topic 3

The Plague contains few female characters, yet while they might be 'off stage' women are important to the men who are the novel's main characters. In an essay, show how the minds and actions of Rieux, Rambert and Grand are influenced by the women they love.

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This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample