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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. 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) Anger rises up inside him.
(c) He is relieved that he was finally able to admit it.
(d) He falls for the second time.

2. What is Praskovya Fedorovna's relationship to the main character?
(a) Son.
(b) Wife.
(c) Daughter.
(d) Servant.

3. What does Ivan Ilych guess the doctor's prognosis is?
(a) It is not as bad as he thought it was.
(b) Ivan doesn't guess at the doctor's prognosis.
(c) It is very bad.
(d) It is nothing to worry about.

4. What is the conflict in Chapter 5?
(a) Ivan still cannot accept that he may be dying.
(b) Ivan dislikes his brother-in-law but must visit with him.
(c) Ivan cannot stay awake, but he has work to do.
(d) Ivan feels that know one is listening to him.

5. Once settled, what makes Ivan Ilych irritable?
(a) Every new stain or imperfection.
(b) The family's new dog.
(c) His wife.
(d) His children.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Ivan Ilych discovers what makes his pain worse, how does he deal with it?

2. What does Ivan Ilych do the more he senses that his wife is bored all the time?

3. What major theme of the novel is introduced in Chapter 6?

4. Who helps Ivan Ilych begin to realize that he is dying?

5. What did the sight of Ivan Ilych seem to convey to Peter Ivanovich?

Short Essay Questions

1. Ivan's realization about himself in Chapter 11prompts him to discover something about himself. What does he discover and how does it affect him?

2. How does the author see Ivan's life and why?

3. How is Ivan's sense of power juxtaposed in Chapter 2?

4. When does Ivan's suffering begin to subside?

5. Discuss how Ivan's memories of the past make him feel.

6. What is the major conflict in "The Death of Ivan Ilych?" What is a minor conflict in "The Death of Ivan Ilych?"

7. Compare and contrast Ivan's wife and Gerasim in Chapter 8.

8. How does Ivan respond to not getting the promotion and why?

9. How does Ivan make his pain worse?

10. Why do Ivan's wife and his doctor give him opium?

(see the answer keys)

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