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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. John Shade's aunt is best described as what?
(a) Wicked.
(b) Agnostic.
(c) Eccentric.
(d) Religious.

2. Canto Four contains a metaphor comparing this activity to John Shade's writing process?
(a) Shaving.
(b) Showering.
(c) Bathing.
(d) Gardening.

3. Charles Kinbote assumes John Shade wanted to write a great deal more about Zembla, but did not. Who or what does Kinbote attribute this too?
(a) Poor translation from Zemblan to English.
(b) John Shade's wife.
(c) Communists.
(d) The Shadeans.

4. Which of the following is not among John Shade's pet peeves?
(a) Super market music.
(b) Jazz.
(c) Abstract art.
(d) Editors.

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

6. During what time of the year does John Shade prefer to write?
(a) Upon the conclusion of the Zemblan harvest.
(b) Spring.
(c) Summer.
(d) Winter.

7. 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 both were orphaned.
(d) They were both born in Russia.

8. 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.

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

10. What happens to John Shade's aunt?
(a) She drowns in a lake.
(b) She falls down the stairs and breaks her hip.
(c) She has a heart attack and dies.
(d) She has a stroke and is moved to a sanitarium.

11. Who does Kinbote blame for not receiving an invitation to John Shade's birthday party?
(a) Gradus.
(b) Dr. Sutton.
(c) Sybil Shade.
(d) John Shade.

12. When did John Shade meet his wife?
(a) Their senior year of high school.
(b) After his parents' funeral.
(c) 40 years ago.
(d) During the depression.

13. Who raises John Shade during his childhood?
(a) His aunt.
(b) His father.
(c) His mother.
(d) Dr. Sutton.

14. While he makes his way through the mountains, King Charles stops to spend the night in which of the following places?
(a) In a cave.
(b) In an abandoned car.
(c) In the woods.
(d) On a farm.

15. John Shade comes to the realization that he can not find what at the I.P.H.?
(a) Truth about the after-life.
(b) Truth about the sordid history of Zembla.
(c) Truth about Shakespeare's sonnets.
(d) Truth about bird watching.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the commentary to Line 137, what phrase, used by John Shade in "Pale Fire", does Kinbote claim has no real meaning?

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

3. Charles Kinbote thinks the reference to "that crystal land" in line 12 refers to what place?

4. Who is King Alfin the Vague's son?

5. John Shade recites his poetry to one person prior to its publication. Who is that person?

(see the answer keys)

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