This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Commentary, Line 469: his gun through Line 493: She took her poor young life.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which best describes Kinbote's reason for rejecting the offer by the first potential publisher of "Pale Fire"?
(a) He made Kinbote responsible for any errors in the commentary.
(b) He would not let Kinbote translate the poem into Zemblan.
(c) Kinbote would not have full editorial control.
(d) Sybil Shade would not recieve her full share of the profits.

2. "Forty ounces of fine sand" describes what in Canto One?
(a) The texture of a windowpane.
(b) Snow falling from the sky.
(c) A bird's nest.
(d) A length of time.

3. What is the first metaphor Shade uses to describe himself?
(a) A snowflake falling to the ground.
(b) A pheasant's feet.
(c) A great bear.
(d) A bird flying into a window.

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

5. Of the following, what do King Charles and John Shade have in common?
(a) Both lost their father at an early age.
(b) They are both Zemblan royalty.
(c) Both had daughters who died at an early age.
(d) Both were loved by their followers.