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

Short Answer Questions

1. What distinguishable characteristic does the narrator point out about the women of N?

2. Where does Tchitchikov plan to go when he leaves Manilov's house?

3. How old is the beautiful girl Tchitchikov bumps his chaise into?

4. What color are Manilov's eyes?

5. What color is the government building where Tchitchikov has to complete his dead soul sale?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Plyushkin sell his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

2. Describe Plyushkin's estate.

3. Why is Plyushkin so miserable?

4. How does Madame Korobotcha react when Tchitchikov wants to buy her dead souls?

5. Why does Manilov decide to sell his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

6. Why does Tchitchikov tell Nozdroyov that he wants dead souls?

7. How does Tchitchikov spend his first day in N?

8. Why does Petrushka smell bad?

9. What happens when Tchitchikov asks the clerk to complete his sales?

10. What does Tchitchikov see as he approaches Sobakevitch's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Gogol divided his story into two parts? How does the division help the reader understand the story better? How does it make the story more complex? Could each section stand alone and be successful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What point does Gogol make about the important men of Russia? List two characters that Gogol uses as caricatures of Russian noblemen. How are these characters used to make fun of the noblemen? What is Gogol criticizing? Is his attempt at making a point using caricatures effective?

Essay Topic 3

Why do the important people of N. become so interested in Tchitchikov? What is the significance of their interest in him? How does their interest in him drive the plot? What does Tchitchikov do to gain their interest?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 682 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample