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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. In whose honor is the ball being held?

2. What does Pavel challenge Bazarov on?

3. Who do Arkady and Bazarov meet outside Kolyazin's office?

4. What is the name of the young woman living with Nikolai?

5. How many more nights does Bazarov want to stay at Anna's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bazarov do during his walk around the farm?

2. In what way does Bazarov prove he is a man of honor in chapter 24?

3. What is Nikolai's current state?

4. In what way is the generational gap between the two young men and Pavel and Nikolai evident in chapter 10?

5. What comment do you think Turgenev is making about love in this book?

6. In what way were Pavel and Nikolai different as children?

7. Describe Vassily's profession.

8. What happens to all the major characters by the end of the story?

9. How did Pavel meet the Russian princess?

10. Describe the duel between Pavel and Bazarov.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is set in Russian provinces.

1) What meaning does Russian provinces bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that was set in Russian provinces?

2) How different do you think today's Russian provinces is to the Russian provinces in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's Russian provinces?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss Turgenev's life. In what way do you think his life and personality is reflected in the book?

(see the answer keys)

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