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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. What "fancy-style" item does Ivanovich buy for his trip (3)?
(a) An enormous backpack.
(b) A flannel shirt.
(c) A walking stick.
(d) A pair of hiking boots.

2. At what time of the morning is Ivanovich supposed to report for the tour?
(a) 11 a.m.
(b) 9 a.m.
(c) 7 a.m.
(d) 5 a.m.

3. What description does the narrator give of the train car on page 5?
(a) It "echoes like a tin box."
(b) It is "cattle-car bare."
(c) It "reeks of holiday revelry."
(d) It is "unmistakably third-class."

4. How does Ivanovich get to the train on the morning of his departure?
(a) The narrator drives him.
(b) He takes a streetcar.
(c) He takes a taxi.
(d) He walks.

5. What is unusual about the four people who work together?
(a) Two have the same last name and two have the same first name.
(b) The men are married to the two women's sisters.
(c) All of them quit their jobs right before this trip.
(d) They work for the same employer but have never met until this trip.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the narrator say is "dangerous for the soul" (7)?

2. What is special about the room at the inn by the lake?

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

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

5. Which of the following best characterizes the narrator's attitude toward the absurd process that Ivanovich is told he must follow to sell back the tickets?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

6. How does Ivanovich end up going on a tour that he does not want to go on?

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

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

9. Describe the leader of the group excursion.

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 988 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample