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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 is Strelnikov's secret identity?

2. What does Yuri tell Commissar Strelnikov he wants out of life?

3. After watching a worker's demonstration, what job does Pasha Antipov want?

4. What are Yuri's primary concerns during the winter?

5. What mode of transportation does Yuri and his family use as they leave for the town of Varykino in the early spring?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the type of work Yuri and his family do to survive when they first arrive in Varykino.

2. Describe some of the social classes of people who are on the train and how they interact with each other.

3. Describe Dr. Zhivago's actions during the war.

4. Why does Lara follow Pasha to the front lines?

5. Describe what happens to Yura during and after his mother's funeral.

6. How do Yuri and his family survive the harsh winter?

7. What does Tonia think of the information she receives in Yuri's letter from Meliuzeievo?

8. Describe the events that lead to Yuri's conscription by the Red Army.

9. How does Lara feel about Komarovsky later in their relationship?

10. How could Yuri's life have been different if he had not tried to return to Lara the night he was conscripted by the Red Army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Komarovsky keeps appearing to Lara unwanted and uninvited. How do Komarovsky's actions affect the development of his character in the story? How does his influence affect Lara and her daughter, Tania?

Essay Topic 2

The characters in the book endure the strife of World War I as well as a civil war. Discuss how war affects their lives.

1) How does World War I affect the characters in the book? Cite specific examples.

2) How does the Russian Civil War affect the characters in the book? Cite specific examples.

3) How would Yuri and Lara's affair been different if there had been no war?

Essay Topic 3

How is the story of Dr. Zhivago similar to Shakespeare's play, "Romeo and Juliet"? What themes are common to both stories? What lessons could be learned from each theme?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 892 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample