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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. Where does Victor invite the two young men?

2. What does Bazarov call for the destruction of?

3. What do Nikolai's servants call the farm?

4. What has Anna promised to educate Bazorov on?

5. What do Pavel and Nikolai talk about when the young men leave the dinner table?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is the relationship between father and son strained in the first section?

2. What do Anna and Bazarov say to each when they are alone in chapter 25?

3. In way does Bazarov contradict his nihilistic beliefs in this section?

4. How does Bazarov react to his imminent death?

5. Why is Nikolai so upset at the beginning of chapter 11?

6. What does Arkady like about Katya?

7. How did Pavel's relationship with the princess work out?

8. Why do you think Turgenev sometimes addresses the reader directly?

9. Why does Arkady prefer Katya to Anna?

10. In what way does Nikolai show jealously towards his brother Pavel in chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Turgenev use character and dialogue to drive the narrative.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character Bazarov examine the way Turgenev uses the other characters in the story. When does she introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

In 1992 Fathers and Sons was made into a film starring Jeff Goldblum and directed by Paul Mones. Why do you think the themes and ideas in the book were still relevant over one hundred years later? Do you think the ideas expressed are timeless and universal? What issues in the novel do you think are unlikely to be understood by today's audiences?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Turgenev's dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

(see the answer keys)

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