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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. What two things that Ivan Ilych hears down the hall makes him react as he does?
(a) The intruder's stealth and agility.
(b) His children's youth and abilities.
(c) His family's good health and merriment.
(d) His friends' talents and good looks.

2. Why does Ivan Ilych think that his case might not be so serious after all?
(a) Because the doctor tells him not to worry.
(b) Because he is feeling better already.
(c) Because he reads about it in a medical book.
(d) Because his wife can go out as usual.

3. What are the symptoms that Ivan Ilych has?
(a) He is unable to walk and or lift his right arm.
(b) He had terrible headaches and is balding.
(c) He has gained a lot of weight and limps.
(d) He is thin and yellow.

4. How satisfied with his life is Ivan Ilych?
(a) Mostly.
(b) Only a very small amount.
(c) Totally.
(d) Not at all.

5. What does Ivan Ilych's son's face look like?
(a) Dirty.
(b) Sunburned.
(c) Tearstained.
(d) Freckled.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the doctor ignore?

2. Is Ivan Ilych in denial about his condition?

3. How did Peter Ivanovich learn the fate of the main character?

4. What is the setting of Chapter 1?

5. Why doesn't Ivan Ilych change his life?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Ivan cope with the knowledge that he is dying?

3. In Chapter 2, how does Ivan see his life and why does he think this?

4. Describe the relationship between Ivan and his wife.

5. How is it possible that Ivan hasn't seen how thin and yellow he looks until his brother-in-law arrives?

6. How could Ivan's death serve as an awakening for his lifetime acquaintance, Peter? Does Peter avail himself of this awakening?

7. Explain how Ivan can be said to be in the depression stage of dying in Chapter 10.

8. Describe Gerasim.

9. What is the climax, or turning point, in "The Death of Ivan Ilych?"

10. Why does Ivan fall into a profound depression?

(see the answer keys)

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