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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Commentary, Line 287: humming as you pack through Line 347, old barn.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Of the following, what do John Shade and the assassin have in common?
(a) They were both Zemblan kings.
(b) They both had aunts who were put in an asylum.
(c) They were both born in Russia.
(d) They both were orphaned.

2. How do the Shade's spend the evening of their daughter's blind date?
(a) Reading.
(b) Watching television.
(c) Writing poems.
(d) Studying birds.

3. What did Charles Kinbote do with the cat?
(a) He accidentally poisoned it.
(b) He gave it to the maid.
(c) He gave it to John Shade as a birthday gift.
(d) He wrote a poem about it.

4. What is the name of John Shade's aunt?
(a) Sybil.
(b) Hazel.
(c) She is never mentioned by name.
(d) Maude.

5. What book does King Charles find on his way out of the castle?
(a) Timon of Athens.
(b) The Bible.
(c) Romeo and Juliet.
(d) A book of John Shade's poetry.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Kinbote want us to believe was the catalyst for John Shade's choice to set "Pale Fire" during the winter months?

2. On what day did John Shade begin composing his poem "Pale Fire?"

3. How does John Shade's daughter die?

4. What does Charles Kinbote do when he finds out where the Shades' are planning to go on vacation?

5. What does Kinbote do during John Shade's birthday party?

(see the answer key)

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