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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. Where is Tchitchikov when he runs into Vassilyevitch?

2. Where has Tchitchikov always wanted to work?

3. Why does Captain Kopeykin become angry and disappear?

4. What do customs officials give Tchitchikov out of the kindness of their hearts when he gets out of prison?

5. How much money does Vassilyevitch have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Tchitchikov tries to go to the governor's house?

2. What gossip does Sofia tell Anna?

3. What reason does Tchitchikov give for why he wants to buy General Betrishtchev's dead souls?

4. How does Tchitchikov feel about General Betrishtchev when he meets him?

5. Why does Andrey quit his first job in Petersburg?

6. How does Vassilyevitch offer to help Hlobuev with his money problems?

7. What does Skudronzhoglo tell Tchitchikov about getting rich?

8. Describe Ulinka's appearance.

9. Why does Lyenitsyn considering selling his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

10. Why do Tchitchikov and Platon set out on a journey together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the character Madame Korobotcha. What role does she play in the story? What is interesting about the way Tchitchikov treats her? How does Madame Korobotcha's role in the story help the reader to get a better idea about the motives and true nature of Tchitchikov?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Nozdroyov's dark side and immorality? What is the author saying by giving a nobleman such a violent personality? How does the reader discover more about Tchitchikov through Nozdroyov's dark side?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the use of immorality as a theme in the novel. Which characters are immoral? How does immorality drive the plot? What does the author seem to be saying about immorality, especially within the nobility?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 596 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample