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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. On the day of his trial, where does Meursault wait for his trial to begin?

2. How does the magistrate feel about Meursault's answer to the question of why he hesitated before firing four more shots into the Arab's body?

3. What does the attorney find when he interviews people about Meursault's background?

4. What distracts Meursault when Marie comes to visit him in prison?

5. When does the local magistrate question Meursault?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Meursault miss in prison and what does the guard have to say about this?

2. What do Raymond, Masson, and Meursault do immediately after the knife fight on the beach?

3. Whose testimony is last and how does this testimony go?

4. Describe Marie's visit to the prison.

5. Describe Meursault's realization about punishment.

6. As the trial progresses, how does Meursault handle the trial and why?

7. Describe the events surrounding Meursault's killing of the Arab.

8. When Meursault's attorney first arrives, what does he notice about Meursault and how does this affect him?

9. What does the magistrate question Meursault about and what is Meursault's answer?

10. What can Meursault see outside his prison cell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you evaluate personal interaction in the novel. Consider how Meursault interacts with others and how they perceive his interaction.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you evaluate whether Meursault's decisions or forces out of his control have the most effect on his life and the outcome of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring how the author sets up Meursault as a character to whom it is hard to relate. Give specific examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample