View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Raskolnikov dream about?

2. Why has Sonia waited for Raskolnikev the whole day?

3. What is the name of Luzhin's younger roommate?

4. Who has followed him to Siberia?

5. What does Dunya now know?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Svidrigaylov's character?

2. How does Raskolnikov finally find salvation?

3. In what way does Dostoevsky show Dunya to be different to her brother?

4. Do you think Svidrigaylov and Raskolnikov's confession is the miracle that Svidrigaylov claims?

5. What effect does Svidrigaylov death have on Raskolnikov?

6. Why is making a public confession so difficult for Raskolnikov?

7. In what ways does Porfiry show what perceptive detective he is?

8. How does Luzhin use his wealth?

9. In what way does Raskolnikov's confession sound different to what he had earlier claimed to think?

10. What do you think Dunya represented to Svidgaylov?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the class distinctions below and describe their living conditions in 19th century Russia.

1) Working class

2) Middle class

3) Upper-class

Do you think Dostoevsky portray a severe inequality in Russian society?

Essay Topic 2

The novel is full of coincidences and fateful meetings. For example, Raskolnikov walks into the same bar where the inspector in charge of the murder case is having a drink. Take one of the coincidences in the book and discuss in what way do you think it contributes to the novel's psychological elements.

Essay Topic 3

Identify the main themes in the novel and describe how Dostoevsky expresses each theme in the book. What do you think the themes say about his opinions as a writer and intellectual?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample