Name: ____________________________

Date: ______________________

Period: ______

Emile Zola’s Therese Raquin

Reading Comprehension Quiz
Chapters 1-3

1. Where is the haberdashery shop that Thérèse works at located?

a) Above someone's home.
b) In a garage.
c) A busy main street.
d) An alley.

2. In "Chapter I", how is Thérèse described in the shop?

a) Like she owns the place.
b) Like she doesn't know what she is doing.
c) Like she is part of it.
d) Like she is never there.

3. In "Chapter I", what does the old woman do in the shop?

a) Tells jokes.
b) Sleeps.
c) Writes.
d) Organizes the ribbons.

4. In "Chapter I", what does the man do in the shop?

a) Sweeps the floor.
b) Steals hats.
c) Carries the boxes.
d) Talks to the ladies.

5. At the end of "Chapter I", what does Thérèse do after leaving the shop?
a) She goes to bed.
b) She writes in a journal.
c) She looks out her window.
d) She goes for a walk.

6. How long does Madame Raquin own the shop before moving?
a) 25 years.
b) 15 years.
c) 20 years.
d) 30 years.

7. In "Chapter II", what does the narrator say Camille dealt with as a child?
a) Illnesses.
b) Illiteracy.
c) A drunk mother.
d) An absent father.

8. Why doesn't Camille ever have a real education?

a) He lives too far from school.
b) His mother prevents it.
c) His father makes him work instead.
d) He never attends school.

9. Why does the narrator say Madame Raquin become Thérèse's guardian?
a) Thérèse runs away from home.
b) Thérèse needs a job.
c) Thérèse's mother dies.
d) Thérèse becomes to sick to care for herself.

10. In "Chapter II", why does the narrator say Thérèse was excited about living in the country?
a) The education.
b) The men.
c) The work opportunities.
d) The freedom.

11. In "Chapter II", what does the narrator say is missing from Thérèse and Camille's relationship?
a) Understanding.
b) Passion.
c) Money.
d) Family approval.

12. What does the narrator say Thérèse does to Camille before they are married?
a) She tries to run away from him.
b) She kisses him.
c) She borrows money from him.
d) She beats him.

13. In "Chapter III", why does the narrator say Camille wanted to leave the country?
a) He was bored.
b) He found a new job.
c) He had never been to a city.
d) He wanted to go to school.

14. Why does Madam Raquin help Thérèse run a shop in Paris?
a) To provide more money for the family.
b) To make sure she doesn't get left behind.
c) To give Thérèse directions.
d) To keep busy.

15. How does the narrator say Madam Raquin worked with Thérèse when buying the shop and
apartment?
a) She let Thérèse choose the neighborhood.
b) She didn't work with Thérèse.
c) She asked Thérèse about what type of shop they should buy.
d) She used part of Thérèse's dowry.
16. In "Chapter III", why does Camille think he will not spend much time at the shop?
a) Because he will have a different job.
b) Because he will be traveling.
c) Because he will sell the shop.
d) Because he will buy a new house.

17. What does Camille do most nights after work?

a) Takes a nap.
b) Goes to the pub.
c) Reads.
d) Works in the shop.

18. At the end of "Chapter III", how much time does the narrator say has passed since the Raquins
obtained the shop in Paris?
a) Two years.
b) One year.
c) Four years.
d) Three years.

Answer Key

1. d.
2. c.
3. b.
4. d.
5. c.
6. a.
7. a.
8. b.
9. c.
10. d.
11. b.
12. d.
13. a.
14. a.
15. b.
16. a.
17. c.
18. d.