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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. When the man tells stories about his "philanderings," what is he talking about (5)?
(a) Donations to charity.
(b) Stamp collecting.
(c) Casual sexual relationships.
(d) Getting very drunk with friends.

2. 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 hidden gem.
(c) An animal.
(d) A statue.

3. How long has Ivanovich been in love with a married woman?
(a) 7 years.
(b) 3 years.
(c) 7 months.
(d) 3 months.

4. Including Ivanovich and the Bureau employees, how many people are in the tour group?
(a) 14.
(b) 12.
(c) 10.
(d) 8.

5. When Ivanovich falls asleep on the third day of the tour, how do the others wake him up?
(a) By singing loudly in his ear.
(b) By throwing a sausage at him.
(c) By slapping him.
(d) By pouring water on him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word does the narrator say describes the appearance of "all creatures still unknown to us" (4)?

2. Which character is said to have "lustreless eyes and a vague velvety vileness" (6)?

3. In the phrase "several people, alas, were taking part in the excursion," what is the word "alas" meant to convey (4)?

4. Who greets Ivanovich at the inn near the lake?

5. After dinner, what do the other tour members insist that Ivanovich do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens at dinnertime on the first day of the trip?

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

3. How does Ivanovich end up losing the game that they play on the train, and what happens as a consequence?

4. On the second day of the tour, what is Ivanovich doing from early morning until early evening?

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

6. 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?

7. What does Ivanovich do as soon as he sits down in the train on the first morning of the trip, and what is the group's reaction?

8. Describe the leader of the group excursion.

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

10. What direct characterization of Ivanovich does the narrator offer?

(see the answer keys)

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