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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. In what activity has Cottard become involved?

2. What happens when the man shoots into the street?

3. With whom is Fr Paneloux billeted?

4. Who ecomes general secretary to the squads of volunteers?

5. What is taking place in the town?

Short Essay Questions

1. Account for Cottard's behavior in Part 5 Chapter 5.

2. What is Tarrou's philosophy?

3. Comment on the change in M. Othon.

4. In what way is Cottard shown to be different from other characters in The Plague?

5. What is the reason for Rambert's decision?

6. In what ways do Tarrou's plague symptoms first appear?

7. Comment on the 'reality' behind the phenomenon of the Oran people, now free of the plague, walking the streets.

8. How is it possible for Cottard to help Rambert?

9. What is unusual about Tarrou's illness?

10. What is the effect of the child's death upon the other characters?

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

Among The Plague's themes is that of moral choice. Explain what is meant by moral choice. What is moral and what is not moral in the context of the plague at Oran? There is much to admire in Rieux, Tarrou and Grand, but is it possible to sympathize at all with Cottard? Write a thoughtful reflective essay.

Essay Topic 3

Identify the sub-plots in The Plague. These concern the stories of certain characters. In an essay, show how the stories of characters compel us to be interested in the main plot--the struggle against the antagonist, which is the plague itself.

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This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample