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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 one of the narrator's grandmother's most prized possessions?

2. What outrages the narrator concerning France and the Russian revolution?

3. With what group of Russians is the narrator's grandmother similar in age?

4. What happens when the scruffy woman notices the young boy looking at her?

5. Where does Albertine believe she will ultimately end up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens each time Albertine and Charlotte return to Russia from France?

2. Where does Albertine retreat?

3. Why does the narrator become outraged?

4. Where does the narrator go for the summer and what is a tale she relates to the narrator on his first night there?

5. What story captures the narrator's imagination concerning Tsar Nicholas II?

6. What is one of the childhood memories of Charlotte's that has left an impact on the narrator?

7. What story about Charlotte and Fyodor does the narrator recall?

8. What memories of women does the narrator think about?

9. What does the narrator say about what makes French women alluring in photographs?

10. What is the narrator allowed to do when he is 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Dreams of My Russian Summers", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Dreams of My Russian Summers". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Dreams of My Russian Summers" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Dreams of My Russian Summers"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Dreams of My Russian Summers" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Dreams of My Russian Summers" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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