View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the focus in the questioning of Cottard?

2. What methods does the character use to attain the goal or goals?

3. What is Rieux worried about?

4. Why has the journalist Raymod Rambert come to Oran?

5. What is M. Grand's job?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Jean Tarrou?

2. What does Fr. Paneloux tell the people in his sermon at High Mass?

3. What literary device does Camus use in Chapter 5 to accentuate meaning?

4. Who is Joseph Grand?

5. Why is Jean Tarrou important in the story?

6. Why is Mme. Rieux concerned about her son?

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

8. What is Dr. Rieux worried about in Chapter 2?

9. In Part 2 Chapter 3, what measure is taken by the town leaders?

10. As described in Chapter 7, what are the first steps taken to deal with the crisis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Tarrou, Grand and Cottard. In what ways do these characters develop during the course of the novel? In what ways are their stories resolved?

Essay Topic 2

In your own words, describe the setting of the city of Oran. Do you think this setting is an appropriate one for Camus' novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 637 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample