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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the description of the "mother-of-pearl claws on his dirty toes," what is the man with whom Ivanovich spends the night being compared to (12)?
(a) A laborer.
(b) A statue.
(c) A hidden gem.
(d) An animal.

2. From context, what is the likely meaning of the word "dactyl" in "On the other side...towered, arising from dactyl to dactyl, an ancient black castle" (14)?
(a) A type of stone used in medieval constructions.
(b) An image found in a metrical foot of poetry.
(c) A tower in the shape of a digit, like a toe or finger.
(d) An architectural figure of a bird.

3. The group leader wears "Tyrolese" clothing. What is true of his clothing?
(a) It is traditionally worn by shepherds.
(b) It is traditionally worn by servants.
(c) It is traditionally worn in the Austrian Alps.
(d) It is traditionally worn in the Black Forest region.

4. What does the narrator say is "dangerous for the soul" (7)?
(a) "A memory of love, disguised as a meadow."
(b) The "configuration of some entirely insignificant objects."
(c) "The anonymity of all the parts of a landscape."
(d) The "charm the world acquires when it is wound up and moving like a merry-go-round."

5. What is the job of the older man who talks to Ivanovich about Russia?
(a) Accountant.
(b) Paper manufacturer.
(c) Post-office clerk.
(d) Produce distributor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ivanovich think "must be oriented toward something or someone" (4)?

2. What is the "unusual expression" of the lake's water (14)?

3. What detail of Ivanovich's appearance seems to impress the narrator?

4. How does Ivanovich get to the train on the morning of his departure?

5. What instrument does one of the men insist on teaching Ivanovich to play?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the game that the passengers come up with to play on the train.

2. What role does singing seem to play on the tour that Ivanovich is on?

3. What kinds of things does Ivanovich feel passion for, and what kinds of things does he dislike?

4. What does Ivanovich do at each of the train stations on the first day of the trip, and what does this show about his character?

5. For what two reasons does Ivanovich sleep badly on the night before the trip begins?

6. Why is it such a relief to Ivanovich when the tour group finally stops for the night at an inn?

7. Who is Schramm and what function does he serve on the trip?

8. With whom does Ivanovich spend the first night, and how does this person keep Ivanovich awake?

9. Why does Ivanovich try to avoid singing the songs, and what happens when he is only pretending to sing?

10. What is the difference between the narrative descriptions of people and of nature in this story?

(see the answer keys)

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