Okay, kiddies, time for the absolute definitive
so-you-think-you-know-everything-there-is-to-know-about-Les-Misérables quiz!
This was taken from an actual textbook edition of the work, and all questions are exactly
(except for a couple of really lame typos) as printed. The answers are also those provided
even though some of them are damn stupid. And then there are the write-in answers. You will
find these in italics after the questions. If you choose to take the exam, do not select the
italicized answers* or you will fail and have to repeat the semester. However, extra
credit will be issued to those who make up their own. So, get your number two pencils all
sharpened, and when you're ready, turn the page over and... begin!
BOOK 1: FANTINE
Chapters 1-4
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Which of the following behaviors did the Bishop demonstrate?
a) gave money to the needy
b) was not attached to material things
c)
respected all living things
d) all of these
writing letters to Jody Foster
REMEMBERING DETAILS
2. Jean Valjean stole a loaf of bread because:a) he became a hardened
criminal
b) he needed to eat
c) the baker was stingy
d) his sister's family
had no food
the other kids dared him to
3. Jean Valjean had money when he arrived at Digne because:a) he had earned
it
b) he had robbed some people
c) he had hidden it away
d) the bishop gave
it to him
he'd just visited the ATM
4. One of the special traits that Jean Valjean had was that he: a) slept
lightly
b) was kind
c) was strong
d) was calm
knew all the words to "Copacabana"
5. Fantine had to leave Cosette with the Thénardiers because: a) she was
going to find work
b) she had no money
c) she liked the Thénardiers
d) she
didn't want her any more
it was either her or the luggage, they couldn't both fit in the trunk
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
6. Jean Valjean concluded that "life was a war and that he was defeated."
This feeling shows the way he: a) thought about his sister
b) tried to
escape
c) acted at the bishop's
d) practiced exercises
anticipated the "Soliloquy" lyrics
USING YOUR REASON
7. Jean Valjean was sentenced to five years on the chain gang. However, he
served nineteen years because: a) they found additional evidence
b) Javert
caught him
c) he refused to eat
d) he tried to escape
he lost track of the time
8. Fantine did not take the affair with Tholomyès as lightly as the other
girls because: a) she was not a bourgeoise
b) she loved him
c) she was a
bourgeoise
d) she did not like surprises
he'd charged up all her credit cards
9. Fantine's leaving her child with the Thénardiers was good luck for them.
The benefits they enjoyed included: a) that she sang like a lark
b) that the
girls got to have another playmate
c) that she did work for them.
d) all of
these
they now qualified for group rates at amusement parks
THINKING IT OVER
10. Victor Hugo makes a distinction between anger and outrage. He says: "a
person does not feel outraged unless, in some way, he is fundamentally
right." Find evidence from the text to illustrate why Jean Valjean might
have felt outraged and not just angry
"That's it? I just die at the end? I don't even get to kiss the leading lady?
What the heck kind of deal is this??"
Chapters 5-8
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. The reader suspects, then knows, that Monsieur Madeleine is Jean Valjean.
Some clues that the author gives include: a) Jean Valjean had had experience
with glass beads
b) M. Madeleine mourned the bishop's death
c) Javert was in
the town
d) M. Madeleine saved Fantine's life
the mailing label on the solicitation letters from the Toulon University Alumni
Association
REMEMBERING DETAILS
2. The stranger had arrived in Montreuil-sur-mer and dramatically improved
the economy in the town by: a) building new houses
b) becoming the mayor
c)
inventing new techniques for making beads
d) giving money to the workers
buying fifty scratch-off lottery tickets at a time
3. M. Madeleine was able to save Father Fauchelevent because: a) Javert got a
jack
b) he knew about wagon construction
c) he was clever
d) he was
strong
there was no kryptonite in the wagon
4. M. Madeleine saved Fantine from Javert because: a) she had worked for him
b) she needed help
c) Javert was cruel
d) all of these
"Hey! I'm not cruel, I'm just doing my job!"
5. Javert wrote to the Prefecture of Police in Paris in order to: a) resign
his post
b) condemn M. Madeleine as a criminal
c) complain about M.
Madeleine
d) none of these
get his autograph
6. During the time that M. Madeleine was away at Arras, something happened.
a) Fantine died
b) Cosette disappeared
c) Javert resigned
d) His hair
turned white
they played that damn running squirrels commercial again
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. When Jean Valjean heard of Champmathieu's arrest, he knew that "all he
had to do was leave things alone." In other words, he could: a) let
Champmathieu get convicted
b) stay at Digne
c) forget Fantine
d) let Javert
find him
slack off
USING YOUR REASON
8. Sister Simplice lied to protect M. Madeleine. Her motivation could have
been that: a) she did not like Javert
b) she worried about what would happen
to Fantine
c) she thought M. Madeleine was a good man
d) she was not subject
to the laws of the police
it would really tick off Javert when he found out about it later
9. The judge and the prosecuting attorney did not arrest Jean Valjeanon the
spot probably because: a) he had confessed
b) they believed that
Champmathieu was guilty
c) they knew and respected M. Madeleine
d) they
couldn't arrest two people for the same crime
the forms take weeks to fill out
THINKING IT OVER
10. Jean Valjean whispered to Fantine as she died. What might he have said
to her? Find some evidence from the text to support your conclusion.
"I get more screen time than you do, neener neener neener..."
BOOK 2: COSETTE
Chapters 1-2
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. The reader knows that Jean Valjean left town before he was captured, and
that Boulatruelle did see something strange. From these events, we can
conclude that Jean Valjean: a) was recaptured right away
b) did not outwit
Javert
c) joined the navy
d) buried some money
Boulatruelle was hitting the ol' bottle again
2. M. Thénardier asked for Jean Valjean's passport probably so: a) he could
explain to Fantine
b) he would be able to locate Jean Valjean
c) he could
visit Cosette
d) he could write to Cosette
he could laugh at the goofy picture
REMEMBERING DETAILS
3. One reason for concluding that the sailor on the ship was Jean Valjean,
even before reading the newspaper report, is that: a) the sailor had white
hair
b) the sailor was very strong
c) the sailor was a convict
d) any of
these
he kept flexing his biceps and yelling "Who da man? Who da man?"
4. Which of these was not a way Thénardier thought of Cosette? a) useful
b)
hard-working
c) ugly
d) deserving
furniture
5. Cosette was terrified to go for water, probably because: a) she was afraid
of the dark
b) it was too hard to do
c) it was too far to go
d) she had no
warm clothes
of the moat monster
6. Thénardier spent a long time making out Jean Valjean's bill so that: a)
he could be sure the math was right
b) he could be creative in the items he
included
c) he could figure out how to overcharge
d) he would be sure not to
forget anything
the total would come out to 666 francs
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. The author says, "There are instincts that operate in all crises of
life," to explain why: a) the Thénardiers could not help disliking Cosette
b) Cosette hid under the table
c) Jean Valjean knew where to find Cosette
d)
Cosette was not afraid of Jean Valjean
the reader is able to ignore plot holes big enough to drive Fauchelevant's wagon
through
USING YOUR REASON
8. The reason Jean Valjean bought Cosette the large pink doll was probably
that: a) it was Christmas
b) she had admired it
c) she could have a friend
d) she would not need to play with Eponine and Azelma's doll
all the Pokémon toys were taken (well, it is Christmas Eve!)
9. Jean Valjean bought Cosette clothes that were all black out of
consideration for: a) leaving the Thénardiers
b) her mother's death
c) Jean
Valjean's age
d) her escape
her dabbling in the goth movement
THINKING IT OVER
10. Jean Valjean tried several times to prevent Cosette from being abused.
Describe the actions he took during the evening he spent at the tavern. Then
summarize the effect that these actions had on Cosette and Mme. Thénardier.
He called Child Protective Services
11. Cosette was very useful to the Thénardiers. Why do you think M.
Thénardier agreed to sell her? Find some evidence from the book to support
your opinion.
Because he saw how much Cosettes were going for on EBay.
Chapters 3-5
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Jean Valjean's and Cosette's arrival at a convent was very fortunate
because: a) the police would not search a convent
b) Cosette could attend
school
c) Fauchelevent was gardener there
d) there would be work for Jean
Valjean. e) all of these
if she'd been enrolled in a seminary it would have been very embarrassing
REMEMBERING DETAILS
2. The old Gorbeau house can best be described as: a) cozy
b) decrepit
c)
convenient
d) well-kept
a tax write-off
3. Jean Valjean and Cosette spent their time at the Gorbeau house with Jean
Valjean: a) teaching Cosette to read
b) telling Cosette about her mother
c)teaching Cosette to pray
d)all of these
teaching her the diamond system of billiards
4. Javert was disguised as: a) a gardener
b) a school teacher
c) a beggar
d) a priest
a pirate
5. Jean Valjean and Cosette leave the Gorbeau house after dark after: a)
they see Javert on the street
b) they cannot pay the rent
c) they hear
someone listening at the door
d) they walk in the park
they trashed the room
6. Fauchelevent was involved with Jean Valjean's life earlier when: a) Jean
Valjean was mayor of Montreuil
b) Jean Valjean saved his life
c) Jean
Valjean was M. Medeleine
d) all of these
Fauchelevant got Valjean a good deal on some life insurance
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. Fauchelevent calles Jean Valjean "ungrateful" because Jean Valjean: a)
forgets the people whose lives he saves
b) does not believe that
Fauchelevent will help him
c) does not care for Cosette
d) forgot about the
Bishop
wouldn't even take a bite of the "turkey surprise" Fauchelevant had whipped up for
him
USING YOUR REASON
8. Javert's presence can probably be attributed to: a) good police work
b)
coincidence
c) Sister Simplice's confession
d) none of these
a very dull social life
9. The prioress agrees to let Jean Valjean and Cosette stay at the convent
perhaps because: a) she owes Fauchelevent a favor
b) she needs more students
at the convent
c) she is innocent
d) she likes Jean Valjean
they'll be sure to help the convent win the talent show this year
IDENTIFYING THE MOOD
10. As Jean Valjean and Cosette flee through the streets, the reader
probably feels: a) anxious about how they will escape
b) confident that
Javert will catch them
c) amused at the chase
d) afraid Cosette will give
them away
e) all of these
that this would be a lot more exciting if it were a car chase!
THINKING IT OVER
11. Cosette never had any experience in loving someone and being loved back.
Victor Hugo says that Cosette "didn't lack the ability, only the
opportunity." How is Jean Valjean like or unlike Cosette in the way? Find
examples from the story to support your response.
They make the same annoying lip-smacking sounds in their sleep.
BOOK 3: MARIUS
Chapters 1-5
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Marius's father's last instructions were for Marius to return the service
to Thénardier, who: a) ran a tavern at Montfermeil
b) saved his life at
Waterloo
c) was sergeant in the army
d) all of these
had gotten him a copy of the answer key
REMEMBERING DETAILS
2. M. Gillenormand had very clear political beliefs. He could best be
described as: a) loyal to the king, religious, republican
b) revolutionary,
wealthy, fashionable
c) fashionable, anti-republican, royalist
stark raving republican
3. The emperor who named Pontmercy colonel, baron, and officer of the Legion
of Honor was: a) Napoleon
b) Bourbon
c) Louis XIV
d) none of
these
Emperor Norton
4. Marius lived with his grandfather instead of his father because: a) his
father died at Waterloo
b) his mother died leaving custody to her father
c)
his grandfather threatened to disown him
d) his aunt wanted him
he didn't want to have to make new friends at a different school
5. Marius refused to take the money from his grandfather and aunt because:
a) he had a lot of money of his own
b) he borrowed from hs friends
c) he
wanted to live economically
d) he was too proud to accept it
for some reason they were offering him pesos
6. M. Mabeuf and Marius became friends after they met at: a) the Luxembourg
b) the church of Saint-Sulpice
c) the bookstore
d) the Café Musain
a monster truck rally
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. Marius was admitted to the bar; in other words, he: a) could now become a
revolutionary
b) exercised regularly
c) became a legitimate publisher
d) was
allowed to practice law
drank like a fish
USING YOUR REASON
8. Marius changed his mind about his father after he talked to: a) his
stepmother
b) his aunt
c) M. Madeleine
d) M. Mabeuf
Ann Landers
9. Marius probably chose to call himself Baron Pontmercy out of respect for
the wishes of: a) his aunt
b) his grandfather
c) his father
d)
Napoleon
the Red Baron
THINKING IT OVER
10. Marius's political were like those of many students of the time.
Rereading the chapters as necessary, as well as the historical background
for the novel, list some important parts of Marius's beliefs. Contrast them
to those of this grandfather.
"We gotta fight... for the right... to paaaaar-taaaay..."
Chapters 6-8
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Marius made a blunder in following Jean Valjean and Cosette home because
it made Jean Valjean: a) suspicious
b) angry
c) amused
d) all of
these
ambush him in the parking lot
2. When Marius heard Jondrette tell that his name was really Thénardier, he
felt: a) thunderstruck
b) astounded
c) unnerved
d) all of
these
that Hugo was really pushing his luck
REMEMBERING DETAILS
3. When Marius returned to the Luxembourg after a six month absence, the
girl had: a) moved away
b) grown up
c) become ill
d) fallen in
love
died of exposure waiting for him
4. Marius began to wear his best clothes when: a) was on his way to work
b)
had his other suit cleaned
c) went to the Luxembourg
d) went to his father's
grave
he really really had to do the laundry
5. The Patron-Minette were: a) a group of thugs
b) a group of
revolutionaries
c) young students
d) young boys who lived in the streets
the newest singing sensation
6. Victor Hugo uses a number of adjective to describe Jondrette's room at
the Gorbeau house, including: a) filthy, smelly, uncomfortable
b) filthy,
smelly, unfurnished
c) smelly, gloomy, cozy
d) smelly, filthy, gloomy
smelly, smelly, smelly. Oh, and smelly
7. Marius frightened Jondrette by using: a) Javert's pistols
b) the door
bell
c) Eponine's handwriting
d) a whistle
a Powerpoint presentation
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
8. Thénardier called Jean Valjean the "cause of all my misfortunes." He
particularly meant that Jean Valjean: a) took Cosette away
b) only gave his
family clothes
c) was the mayor
d) turned him in to Javert
told him to invest heavily in the dot-com market
USING YOUR REASON
9. Unknowingly, Marius committed the biggest blunder of all. That was: a)
telling Javert about Jondrette's plan
b) going to the Luxembourg
c) keeping
the pistols
d) asking Eponine to help him
turning down the lead in Great Expectations in order to take this gig
10. Jean Valjean and Cosette come to the Jondrettes' room to: a) bring them
warm clothes
b) clean their room
c) give them money
d) to befriend
them
drop off a couple of Watchtowers
THINKING IT OVER
11. In these chapters, Marius sees his beloved again. Then he hears
Jondrette threaten to harm her and her father. Then he hears Jondrette tell
his real name. Describe the emotions Marius probably feels as these actions
unfold, and explain why his feelings change.
"Damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn!"
12. When Eponine offers to be useful to Marius, he asks her to do something
for him. What is it? Do you think she will be successful? Cite evidence from
the story to support your responses.
shoot De Gaulle
BOOK 4: SAINT-DENIS
Chapters 1-5
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Marius moved from the Gorbeau house very quickly. The reason was probably
that he felt: a) sad to have missed Cosette
b) torn in his feelings about
Thénardier
c) confused about his political beliefs
a disturbance in the Force
2. The house on the Rue Plumet was perfect for Jean Valjean and perfect for
Marius to rendezvous with Cosette because: a) it looked deserted
b) there
were no neighbors
c) it was designed for secret entry.
d) all of these
they both could find it
REMEMBERING DETAILS
3. Javert made his arrests at the Gorbeau house, and the villains were sent
to prison. However, by the end of these chapters: a) everyone has been freed
or has escaped
b) all the women are still in prison
c) all the men have
escaped
they have formed a support group
4. When Marius left the Gorbeau house, he went to live: a) at the Field of
the Lark
b) with Courfeyrac
c) in the Latin Quarter
d) none of these
in a shoebox at the bottom of the lake
5. Marius got the money for Thénardier each month by: a) working at the
publishing house
b) borrowing from Laigle
c) using the money from his aunt
d) borrowing from Courfeyrac
stealing purses from little old ladies
6. The person who appeared to help Father Mabeuf was: a) Eponine
b) Madame
Jondrette
c) Cosette
d) Azelma
Rufus
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. Jean Valjean had a box Cosette called "the inseparable" because: a) it
was impossible for her to open it
b) it was never out of Jean Valjean's
sight
c) he always took it with him when they moved.
d) none of these
that's what it was called
USING YOUR REASON
8. For Marius to have borrowed money is important because: a) he could not
pay it back
b) he had never borrowed money before
c) his father asked him to
do it.
d) all of these
his creditors would break his knees if he didn't pay it back
9. While Jean Valjeanwas away: a) Marius came to the garden
b) Cosette ran
away
c) Javert came to the house
d) none of these
he received a letter from Ed McMahon notifying him that he may have one a
million dollars
IDENTIFYING THE MOOD
10. Which word best describes Marius's attitude towards Jean Valjean? a)
unaware
b) disliking
c) warm
d) respectful
supercalifragilisticexpialedocious
THINKING IT OVER
11. Eponine continues to be important in this story. She makes things
happen. Trace Eponine's involvement with Marius's affairs from the time she
comes to his room at the Gorbeau house to the time he sees Cosette again.
How would you sum up Eponine's role?
Postal Service
12. When Marius falls in love with Cosette, she lives at the Rue de l'Ouest.
Although Marius does not know where she has moved, the reader does. Tell
where the new house is, why it is so appropriate for Jean Valjean's purpose,
and how Marius comes to find it.
The Bronx, and it's convenient for his commute to the Broadway theatre where
he has his job.
Chapters 6-9
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Marius had one way to be able to stay with Cosette. That was to: a) ask
Jean Valjean for permission to marry Cosette
b) ask his grandfather's
permission to marry Cosette
c) ask Courfeyrac for more money
d) none of
these
grab her ankle and never let go again
REMEMBERING DETAILS
2. Marius went to the garden after ten o'clock because: a) Toussaint would
be asleep
b) Cosette's "father" would be asleep
c) Marius had to work until
then
d) all of these
if he went out any later he would be turned into a pumpkin
3. One evening Marius met someone he knew on the way to see Cosette. That
person was: a) Jondrette
b) M. Mabeuf
c) Courfeyrac
d) Eponine
the Ghost of Christmas Past
4. Eponine sat by the gate at the Rue Plumet in order to: a) meet Marius
b)
meet Cosette
c) meet her sister
d) meet her father
hang out
5. The six men came to the house on the Rue Plumet in order to: a) meet
Eponine
b) see the house
c) rob the house
d) rob Marius
interest Jean Valjean in a time-sharing resort
6. When Marius's grandfather thought about not seeing him again: a) the
thought cheered him
b) the thought chilled him
c) the thought amused him
d)
the thought annoyed him
he said, "Now, which one was Marius again?"
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. Eponine told her father, "You come near, I'll bark. I told you I'm the
dog." She was trying to: a) make him laugh
b) make him leave the house to
her
c) protect Marius and Cosette
d) practice her ventriloquism
explain her role in Old Yeller
8. When Marius said, "He is not a man who changes his habits," he meant: a)
his father
b) M. Mabeuf
c) M. Gillenormand
d) Jean Valjean
the creepy old monk who lived in the attic
USING YOUR REASON
9. When Marius saw Eponine, she was awkward, probably because: a) her father
was going to rob the house
b) she was embarrassed to have Marius see her
c)
Marius didn't speak to her
d) none of these
she had forgotten her name
10. The grandfather disapproved of Marius marrying Cosette because: a) she
had no money
b) the courtship was not according to custom
c) Marius did not
know the father
d) all of these reasons
Victor Hugo told him to
IDENTIFYING THE MOOD
11. How would you describe the mood of the masses on the day of the
General's funeral? a) joyful
b) agitated
c) frightened
d)
depressed
partly cloudy with a chance of rain
THINKING IT OVER
12. Marius and his grandfather do not understand each other. Describe how
the grandfather feels toward Marius. Then contrast this with how Marius
feels toward the old man. Use evidence from the text.
They feel pretty, oh so pretty...
13. Jean Valjeandecided to move from the Rue Plumet after some strange
things happened in the garden. What strange things "put him on alert," and
why? Why was he afraid?
Lawn gnomes started mysteriously appearing in the garden.
14. The author says that "Paris was ready for a revolt," and the spark was
the funeral of General Lamarque. What was it about the General that made his
funeral touch off the revolts? Who are the four people who join the march in
the last chapter of this group?
Dancer, Prancer, Donner and Blitzen
Chapters 10-13
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Eponine finally asked for her reward for helping Marius. It was: a) a
kiss on the forehead
b) thirty francs
c) a promise to help her brother
d)
all of these
to be a real boy
2. Jean Valjean and Cosette have their first conflict over: a) what to take
to England
b) moving away from the Rue Plumet
c) whether or not to bring
Toussaint
d) Cosette's love for Marius
what dress she should wear to the prom
REMEMBERING DETAILS
3. Chowder and Souffle were: a) dishes served at the Corinth
b) dishes M.
Hucheloup invented
c) M. Hucheloup's daughters
d) waitresses at the
Corinth
two comical characters slated to appear in the Disney version
4. The leader of the group marching through the streets was: a) Marius
b)
Grantaire
c) Courfeyrac
d) Enjolras
Mr. T
5. The barricade was made of: a) rubble
b) paving stones
c) vats
d) a
wagon
e) all of these
cardboard
6. The man who had joined the group at Rue des Billettes was: a) M. Mabeuf
b) Inspector Javert
c) M. Gillenormand
d) Eponine
Cameron Mackintosh
7. The voice the men heard singing was that of: a) Jean Valjean
b) Mabeuf
c) Gavroche
d) Eponine
Colm Wilkinson
8. When the flag fell, the man who put it back up was: a) Jean Valjean
b)
Marius
c) Enjolras
d) Mabeuf
Pierre, of Central Paris Flag Removal and Repairs
9. The person who stopped the bullet intended for Marius was: a) Eponine
b)
Gavroche
c) Jean Valjean
d) Javert
Obi-Wan Kenobi
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
10. Marius thought that the voice that called him to the barricade was the
"voice of destiny," meaning he was fated to: a) die at the barricade
b) meet
Eponine
c) find Cosette's father
d) record the events legally
recall to mind the line from Babe: "Pig of destiny!"
11. Marius was called the "savior" of the barricade because he repelled the
soldiers when he threatened to: a) kill himself if the soldiers fired
b)
blow up the barricade
c) kill Javert
d) none of these
start singing again
USING YOUR REASON
12. The advantage of two barricades was that: a) there could be an escape
b)
that would fool the soldiers
c) they could surround the Corinth
d) none of
these
two barricades are better than one
13. Marius sent Gavroche to take the letter to Cosette in order to: a) save
Cosette
b) save Father Mabeuf
c) save Enjolras
d) save Gavroche
advance the plot
THINKING IT OVER
14. The author tells everything Eponine did to help Marius. Review these
actions, and state what you believe her motivation was. Judge Marius's
treatment of Eponine. Was it appropriate? Find details from the text to
support your opinion.
There's nothing he could be prosecuted for!
15. At the end of these chapters, Jean Valjean goes to the barricade with a
loaded gun. Do you think he will kill Marius? Recall that when Jean Valjean
discovered Cosette had written to Marius he was horribly shaken. Consider
what Cosette means to him.
Think, or hope?
BOOK 5: JEAN VALJEAN
Chapters 1-3
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Just as he let Javert go, Jean Valjean told him: a) they would meet again
b) where he lived
c) he forgave him
d) he would kill him the next time they
met
that he thought he was a snazzy dresser
2. Jean Valjean decided to save Marius rather than let him die, probably
because: a) he had come to respect Marius
b) he knew Cosette loved him
c) he
is incapable of letting someone die
d) all of these reasons
he had to; it was in his contract
3. Javert ended his life by: a) jumping off the train
b) jumping out of the
carriage
c) jumping into the river
d) going back to the barricade
reading Cosette
REMEMBERING DETAILS
4. At the barricade in the Rue de la Chanvrerie, there were people
numbering: a) more than one hundred
b) more than three thousand
c) less than
twenty
d) less than forty
fewer once they all got shot
5. The soldiers in the Rue Saint-Denis numbered: a) in the hundreds
b) in
the thousands
c) about two hundred
d) only five
can't tell, it was shirts vs. skins
6. The man who went to get the mattress to protect against the grapeshot
was: a) Gavroche
b) Jean Valjean
c) Combeferre
d) Courfeyrac
Mr. Sealy
7. Gavroche left the barricade to: a) get the mattress
b) steal food for the
men
c) get cartridges from the dead soldiers
d) take uniforms from the dead
soldiers
pick up the pizza Grantaire had ordered
8. Jean Valjean took the injured Marius away. They went: a) into the small
barricade
b) to Marius's grandfather's house
c) into the sewers
d) into the
rivers
to a neat little cafe that Valjean knew of
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
9. When Jean Valjean returns to the barricade after taking Javert away, he
says, "Done." By that, he means for the men to think: a) he has released the
man
b) he has killed the man
c) he has turned the man
over to the soldiers
d) his job at the barricade is finished
it's time to take the roast out of the oven
10. The author says that Javert was "tormented." His torment was due to: a)
his situation
b) his health
c) his age
d) his friends
his hat
USING YOUR REASON
11. The tall man in the buttoned-up coat who was tracking the man who
disappeared was probably: a) Thénardier
b) Gillenormand
c) Gavroche
d)
Javert
Abraham Lincoln
12. The five men left the barricade because they: a) had families to care
for
b) had no money to give to the cause
c) were afraid to stay
d) did not
want to die
were a basketball team caught there by mistake
13. Jondrette knew that Javert was waiting for him outside the sewer, so he
let Jean Valjean go out to be caught. a) true
b) false
c) there is no way to
know from the story
he had read ahead in the script
IDENTIFYING THE MOOD
14. When Enjolras returned to the barricade after looking around, the mood
in the barricade became: a) frightened
b) resentful
c) determined
d)
amused
annoyed that he hadn't brought back any presents for them
THINKING IT OVER
15. When Enjolras does a reconnaissance and reports that the men at the
barricade are abandoned, a voice cries out: "Let's show them that, even if
the people abandon the republicans, the republicans do not abandon the
people." Who are the republicans, and who are the people? Why might the
people have abandoned the republicans?
Two words: hanging chad.
16. Gavroche taunted the soldiers who fired at him. Do you think he believed
he could survive, or do you think he knew he would die? Study the actions of
Gavroche, and choose three adjectives to describe him.
Gavroche believed he could fly... he believed he could touch the sky.
17. Why did Javert let Jean Valjean go? Recall the interactions between the
two men in these chapters, and form a supported response. Then consider
Javert's personality and decide whether, having let Valjean go, Javert had
any choice about his fate.
He felt like it.
Chapters 4-8
FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
1. Marius made his grandfather very happy by: a) calling him "father"
b)
bringing Cosette to live in the house
c) being married at the house
d) all
of these
buying him a pet gerbil
2. Cosette agreed to receive her "father" in the ground floor room because
she: a) respected his wishes
b) was ashamed of him
c) knew Marius did not
want him in the house
d) none of these
had a thing about basements
REMEMBERING DETAILS
3. M. Gillenormand made some inquiries while Marius was recovering. The
inquiries were about: a) Jean Valjean
b) Cosette
c) Théodule
d) the students
at the barricade
if his contract was up yet
4. Jean Valjean gave the money to Cosette so that: a) Marius would marry her
b) the grandfather would accept her
c) she could have everything she wanted
d) she would not come to the marriage with nothing
she could attract a better fiance
5. The money had come from: a) the jet glass business
b) robbing Lafitte's
c) selling the bishop's silver
d) Fantine's work
gambling at the greyhound track
6. Marius continued to try to find: a) the man who had saved his life
b) the
man who had saved his father's life
c) both of these people
d) neither of
these people
the six-fingered man
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
7. The "inseparable" turned out to be: a) the candlesticks
b) Cosette's pink
doll
c) Cosette's clothes
d) Thénardier's coat
a small bottle of Super Glue
8. M. Gillenormand gave Cosette away because: a) Jean Valjean had hurt his
arm
b) Jean Valjean had told Marius the truth
c) Jean Valjean asked him to
d) none of these
he couldn't sell her
9. Marius found out the truth about who saved him through: a) Eponine
b)
Thénardier
c) Basque
d) a letter from Javert
Cleo on the Psychic Friends Network
USING YOUR REASON
10. Jean Valjean pretended to hurt his hand so that: a) he didn't have to
sign his name
b) he didn't have to give Cosette away
c) he did not have to
have his prints taken
he wouldn't have to do that stupid Chicken Dance at the reception
11. Jean Valjean left the wedding dinner because: a) his hand was too
painful
b) he was not hungry
c) it was too painful for him to see Cosette
with Marius
d) he had to go home to get the dowry money
he didn't want to miss the finale of Survivor
12. Jean Valjean asked to see Cosette every day because: a) he loved her
b)
he wanted to protect her
c) he brought her money
d) he knew she needed to
see him
the court-ordered visitations required it
13. Jean Valjean stopped coming to see Cosette because: a) he knew she was
too busy
b) he knew Marius didn't want him there
c) he knew his visits made
her unhappy
d) the visits made him too unhappy
it conflicted with his bingo night
THINKING IT OVER
14. Why do you think Jean Valjean told Marius the truth about who he was?
And why did he not tell Marius who had saved him? Consider whether any other
action would have been consistent with the personality and motivations of
Jean Valjean. If so, what might it have been?
Because he's a masochist, and should seek treatment.
15. Think carefully about Jean Valjean's decision not to live with Cosette
and Marius. What were his reasons? Do you think he was happy with his
decision? Do you think he should have made a different decision? Form your
response, considering the personalities and motivations of the three people.
Reply hazy. Try again later.
16. Victor Hugo wrote about Cosette and Marius's marriage: "It is terrible
to be happy! How all-sufficient it is! Being in possession of the false aim
of life, happiness, we forget the true aim: duty!" Do you agree that
happiness is the false aim of life? Do you agree that duty is the real aim?
Do you think Cosette and Marius renounced their duty to Jean Valjean? Do you
think Jean Valjean thought so?
That's a definitive Maybe.
17. Do you think that Jean Valjean died a happy man? Support your response
with details about that character's personality, actions, and words.
Not with Marius drooling all over his daughter!
Rrrrrriing! Time's up! Pencils down, papers over! Anyone caught writing after the
buzzer gets a zero! Okay, exchange papers and grade your neighbor's test. Turn them in
when you're finished. When everyone's done, we're going out to the playground early so those
snotty fifth graders don't hog all the swings. Ready? Fine, let's go out and play...
_____________________
*credit/blame where it's due: the original concept, and 99% of the fake answers in sections four and five are Lindsay Addison's fault; the answers in sections one, two, and three are entirely Arlene's doing, and she takes full responsibility for them. Unless they're not funny. Then they're someone else's fault.
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