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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 do the guards bring Cincinnatus instead of hot chocolate to drink?

2. What is the last word that Cincinnatus has to find an additional piece of paper to write?

3. What does CIncinnatus do in response to the scratching noises?

4. What does Cincinnatus say when he learns his mother has come to see him?

5. What time of day do the scratching noises start up again, for the last time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what happens to Cincinnatus's cell when the tunnel is completed.

2. Describe the plot of Quercus.

3. What does Pierre do after the party starts breaking up, before heading back to the prison?

4. What inconsistency in Cecilia C.'s clothes does Cincinnatus point out?

5. What does the librarian do when Cincinnatus tries to express his true thoughts?

6. What does Pierre realize that he has forgotten in his speech?

7. How does Rodion act toward Cincinnatus?

8. What does Cincinnatus's letter to Marthe say?

9. How does Pierre act during his chess game with Cincinnatus?

10. What does Pierre do, when the party moves outside at the meeting between Cincinnatus, Pierre, and the city officials?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Cincinnatus's character and how others perceive him in the novel.

1) What does Cincinnatus's writing reveal about his character?

2) How do other people perceive and treat Cincinnatus in the novel? What character flaws do others point out to him? Is there any truth in these accusations?

3) How does Cincinnatus change over the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss communication in the novel.

1) Why does Cincinnatus believe he has communicated with whoever he hears digging a tunnel beyond his wall? How does he feel about having communicated? What does he hope to gain through this communication?

2) How does Cincinnatus use his writing to try to communicate? What is he trying to communicate, and to whom?

3) In what other ways does Cincinnatus try to communicate with those around him? What are the obstacles to communication?

Essay Topic 3

Pierre is an important element in the novel and a representative of the forces of society that are destroying Cincinnatus. Discus Pierre's character, his attitudes, and his reactions.

1) Why does Pierre present himself as a prisoner and try to become Cincinnatus' friend? How does Pierre view his relationship with Cincinnatus?

2) What does Pierre think of himself and his position in society? How does he promote himself? How does he use language and cultural dictates to create "truth?"

3) What elements of Cincinnatus's psyche does Pierre represent?

(see the answer keys)

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