The Stranger, Chapter 1 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What makes Meursault stop himself from shaking the magistrate's hand after their first meeting?

   • Correct answer: He remembers that he has killed a man
   • He sees the police waiting at the door
   • The magistrate turns away to his papers
   • He notices the magistrate's nervous tic

   On his way out he nearly offers his hand, then remembers just in time that he has killed a man.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Where did investigators make inquiries into Meursault's private life?

   • At the office where he worked
   • Correct answer: In Marengo, where Maman's home was
   • At Raymond's apartment building
   • At the beach house of Raymond's friend

   The lawyer reports that inquiries were made in Marengo and turned up claims that Meursault showed insensitivity at the funeral.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What does the lawyer ask Meursault to let him tell the court?

   • That Meursault was drunk on the beach
   • That the Arab attacked him with a knife
   • Correct answer: That he held back his natural feelings
   • That he had not slept for several days

   The lawyer wants to say Meursault held back his natural feelings at the funeral; Meursault refuses because it is not true.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Why does the clerk lose his place while typing?

   • The magistrate suddenly shouts at him
   • The heat makes the typewriter keys stick
   • Meursault asks him to read back a line
   • Correct answer: Meursault says he loved Maman the same as anyone

   The clerk hits the wrong key just as Meursault answers that he loved Maman the same as anyone.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Which part of Meursault's confession does the magistrate say he cannot understand?

   • Why Meursault took Raymond's revolver
   • Why Meursault went back to the beach
   • Correct answer: Why he paused before the second shot
   • Why Meursault did not run away after

   To the magistrate, the rest of the confession is fine; only the hesitation before the second shot is unclear.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does the magistrate say would happen if he ever doubted that all men believe in God?

   • Correct answer: His life would become meaningless
   • He would have to resign from the court
   • He could no longer judge any criminal
   • He would lose the respect of his clerk

   He shouts that doubting it would make his life meaningless and asks, 'Do you want my life to be meaningless?'

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7. 7

   Question 7. Asked if he is sorry for what he did, what does Meursault say?

   • That he is sorry only for Marie
   • That he regrets nothing at all
   • Correct answer: That more than sorry he feels annoyed
   • That he cannot remember the day well

   After thinking about it, he says that more than sorry he feels kind of annoyed, an answer the magistrate does not seem to understand.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Which of these events happen in Part Two, Chapter 1?

   • The magistrate asks whether Meursault believes in God.

     Happened

   • Meursault asks the court to call Marie as a witness.

     Didn't happen

   • The lawyer warns that the director and staff of the home will testify.

     Happened

   • Meursault tells the magistrate he fired all five shots at once.

     Didn't happen

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these details are true of the investigation?

   • The investigation lasts eleven months.

     Happened

   • Meursault's lawyer attends every session with the magistrate.

     Didn't happen

   • The magistrate pulls a silver crucifix from a file cabinet.

     Happened

   • Meursault weeps when shown the crucifix.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does 'taciturn' mean in: 'people were describing me as a taciturn and withdrawn person'?

    • Quick to anger
    • Correct answer: Saying very little
    • Easily frightened
    • Openly and often dishonest

    Taciturn means habitually quiet; Meursault agrees, saying he just doesn't have much to say.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'brandished' mean in: 'a silver crucifix which he brandished as he came toward me'?

    • Hid behind his back
    • Polished carefully
    • Correct answer: Waved about for show
    • Set down gently on the desk

    To brandish is to wave or flourish something; the magistrate waves the crucifix almost over Meursault's head.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'cordial' mean in: 'The result was that our discussions became more cordial'?

    • Correct answer: Warm and friendly
    • Short and rushed
    • Formal and rather cold
    • Loud and heated

    Cordial means warm and friendly; once the magistrate loses interest in God, the sessions relax.

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