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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Charles Kinbote thinks the reference to "that crystal land" in line 12 refers to what place?
(a) Russia.
(b) Quebec.
(c) New Wye.
(d) Zembla.

2. King Alfin the Vague was an amateur______ .
(a) Poet.
(b) Pilot.
(c) Gardener.
(d) Ornothologist.

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

4. Why does young King Charles refuse to consummate his relationship with Fleur?
(a) Her family is poor.
(b) She tries to steal from him.
(c) He is homosexual.
(d) She is ugly.

5. Who is the previous inhabitant of Charles Kinbote's house?
(a) The King of Zembla.
(b) Wordsmith University's gardener.
(c) Dr. Sutton.
(d) Judge Goldsmith.

6. During what time of day does John Shade prefer to write?
(a) Morning.
(b) Bath time.
(c) Late afternoon.
(d) After dinner.

7. Which of the following is not mentioned by Shade in Canto One?
(a) The sky.
(b) The Zemblan countryside.
(c) A baseball game.
(d) Dr. Sutton.

8. In Canto Two we find that Shade's daughter had been vacationing in what faraway place?
(a) Zembla.
(b) Quebec.
(c) New Wye.
(d) France.

9. How do the extremists learn the King has escaped?
(a) He is killed in New Wye.
(b) They find out Odon is making a film in France.
(c) He leaves a letter.
(d) He gives a radio broadcast.

10. How do the extremists try to prevent King Charles from leaving the country?
(a) They close all the airports.
(b) They outlaw driving.
(c) They search all trains.
(d) They search all caves.

11. Kinbote leaves his blinds open to give him a better view of what?
(a) The library.
(b) The gardener.
(c) Garden Avenue.
(d) The Shade's living room.

12. In lines 936 and 937 of "Pale Fire" the phrase "I plow Old Zembla's fields" is used by John Shade as part of a metaphor for what literal activity?
(a) The changing seasons.
(b) His relationship with his wife.
(c) Shaving.
(d) Revisiting his Zemblan ancestry .

13. Of the following, which has been added to Shade's childhood home?
(a) Electricity.
(b) A TV antenna.
(c) A garage.
(d) A chimney.

14. How old was Shade when he wrote Canto Two?
(a) 40.
(b) 61.
(c) 80.
(d) We are never told exactly, only that he is "a youth".

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What event causes John Shade to have a vision of the afterlife?

2. What typically goes on at the I.P.H.?

3. During the forward Charles Kinbote oddly notes that he is distracted by who/what?

4. What are the two most important things in Shade's life?

5. John Shade gives a lecture on what in Canto Three?

(see the answer keys)

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