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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Ivan Ilych take his family there?
(a) To hide from the law.
(b) For a vacation.
(c) To save money.
(d) For a visit.

2. How does the doctor respond when Ivan Ilych presses him for an answer to the seriousness of his symptoms?
(a) The doctor states that he has already told Ivan what he considers proper.
(b) The doctor tells Ivan that he has only weeks to live.
(c) The doctor tells Ivan he needs to do more tests.
(d) The doctor tells Ivan that it isn't anything to worry about.

3. What does Ivan Ilych's wife tell him to do, after he gets back from the doctor?
(a) Be quiet.
(b) Take his medicine.
(c) Go to his bed and rest.
(d) Tell her all about the doctor's visit.

4. What profession is Ivan Ilych?
(a) A lawyer.
(b) A judge.
(c) A doctor.
(d) A teacher.

5. What major theme of the novel is introduced in Chapter 6?
(a) We die as we live.
(b) Leave the curtain the way it is.
(c) Without family we are nothing.
(d) Working too hard can kill you.

6. What does Ivan Ilych see as "doing his duty?"
(a) To do whatever pleases his wife.
(b) To do whatever pleases those in authority.
(c) To serve the judicial system honorably.
(d) To be the best father to his children.

7. What is the setting of Chapter 1?
(a) The judge's chamber.
(b) The church.
(c) The courtroom.
(d) Ivan Ilych's house.

8. When does Ivan Ilych's pain worsen?
(a) In the evening after dinner.
(b) During the night.
(c) In the morning after he wakes up.
(d) When he is upset.

9. Ivan Ilych finally realizes, after seeing himself in the mirror, that his condition is a question of what?
(a) Positive thinking.
(b) Whether the kidney or the appendix is diseased.
(c) Whether he can afford his new house now that he is not able to work.
(d) Life or death.

10. In Chapter 6, is Ivan able to replace his thoughts of death?
(a) No, not all the time.
(b) No, it doesn't work anymore.
(c) Yes, but it takes time.
(d) Yes, it works brilliantly.

11. After seeing himself for the first time in many months in the mirror, what reaction does Ivan Ilych have to what he sees?
(a) He becomes dizzy and faints.
(b) He is relieved that he was finally able to admit it.
(c) He falls for the second time.
(d) Anger rises up inside him.

12. How does Ivan Ilych's wife react to his worsening pain?
(a) She insists he see a doctor.
(b) She chastises him for whining.
(c) She ignores him.
(d) She criticizes him for fixing the curtain.

13. Who is the main character?
(a) Ivan Ilych.
(b) Vladimir Ivanich.
(c) Peter Ivanovich.
(d) Praskovya Fedorovna.

14. When Ivan Ilych discovers what makes his pain worse, how does he deal with it?
(a) He ignores things that might upset him.
(b) He increases his dosage of his medication.
(c) Ivan becomes constantly on guard against anything that might distress him.
(d) He cries.

15. What does the doctor ignore?
(a) The question as to whether or not Ivan's case is serious.
(b) Ivan's wife's questions.
(c) Ivan's fear that bruises are starting to spread all over his body.
(d) Ivan's ability to pay him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has Ivan Ilych used as an escape from reality?

2. After seeing himself in the mirror, what does Ivan Ilych finally admit to himself?

3. To what or whom does Peter Ivanovich refuse to yield to?

4. What is Praskovya Fedorovna's relationship to the main character?

5. After offering his condolences, what does Peter Ivanovich tell Praskovya Fedorovna?

(see the answer keys)

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