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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. Just before the writer gets into the sleigh, what does he decide he must do?

2. In what is Zverkov an expert?

3. At the beginning of Part 2, Chapter 5, the writer has left the dinner and is outside. How does he describe the snow?

4. What does Liza give the writer just before he leavesher?

5. How does the writer feel about the office clerks?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Zverkov's reaction to the writer's complaint about not being informed of the change in time for the dinner party?

2. Describe the apartment of Anton Antonych.

3. Why does the writer state that in his life he often takes insignificant roles?

4. What does the writer compare Liza to and how does he explain that even this is better than being a prostitute?

5. What reasons does the writer give for loathing his old classmate Zverkov?

6. In Part 2, Chapter 6, the writer wakes up to a clock chiming. How does he describe the clock?

7. What is Zverkov's attitude toward the writer?

8. The writer continues to ridicule Liza and her work and describes a rather somber death. What does the writer say a prostitute's death will be?

9. In Part 2, Chapter 8, the writer decides to borrow money from his friend Anton Antonych in order to repay Simonov. Why does Anton Antonych so readily lend the money?

10. The writer describes some office clerks that repulse him. Discuss these characters.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part 1, Chapter 5, the writer states that he participates in self-degradation in lieu of boredom. Provide examples of this. Do you think the writer does this to fight his boredom or could there be other reasons? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

All stories have conflict. Describe the type or types of conflict expressed in this story and if or how they are resolved by the end of the story.

Essay Topic 3

In Part 1, Chapter 8, the writer fantasizes about a formula for the desires of man. What does he say would happen to free will if such a formula existed and how do you think he feels about this?

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This section contains 756 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample