View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Kinbote is steadfast in his assertion that "Pale Fire" was intended to be how many lines long?
(a) 1000.
(b) 999.
(c) 334.
(d) 166.

2. Where do the Shade's travel to take their minds off their daughter's death?
(a) Zembla.
(b) France.
(c) New Wye.
(d) Italy.

3. John Shade criticizes his students for which of the following transgressions?
(a) Writing "irony" in the margins of their books.
(b) Using cliches.
(c) Reading stupidly.
(d) Talking about Zembla.

4. Charles Kinbote thinks John Shade enjoyed more "creative freedom" during the composition of which Canto?
(a) Canto One.
(b) Canto Three.
(c) Canto Two.
(d) Canto Four.

5. What typically goes on at the I.P.H.?
(a) Poets gather to read their work.
(b) People gather to discuss the after-life.
(c) People gather to discuss different species of birds.
(d) People gather to discuss Zemblan history.

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

7. What are the two ways to write according to Shade in Canto Three?
(a) Literally and ironically.
(b) In the bathtub, and at a desk.
(c) Indoors and outdoors.
(d) In the mind and while writing.

8. In the commentary to Line 181, Shade produces a book by what author and shows it to Sybil Shade?
(a) John Shade.
(b) Proust.
(c) Vladimir Nabokov.
(d) William Shakespeare.

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

10. What is the name of the secret group that sends an assassin after King Charles?
(a) The Freudians.
(b) The Extreme.
(c) The Marxists.
(d) The Shadows.

11. In the commentary to Line 137, what phrase, used by John Shade in "Pale Fire", does Kinbote claim has no real meaning?
(a) Waxing slain.
(b) unicrursal.
(c) caramen.
(d) lemniscate.

12. Queen Blenda's favorite hobby is ______ .
(a) Knitting.
(b) Singing.
(c) Riding.
(d) Bird watching.

13. What does Kinbote do during John Shade's birthday party?
(a) He writes and listens to music.
(b) He drinks alone.
(c) He plays chess.
(d) He spies on the party.

14. What does Kinbote give John Shade for his birthday?
(a) A gown.
(b) A chess board.
(c) A book of poetry.
(d) A drawing of King Charles' castle.

15. Following the death of King Charles' mother, Queen Blenda, a seance is held for what purpose?
(a) To bring Queen Blenda's spirit back to earth.
(b) So Charles can talk to his mother.
(c) To convince Charles to marry Fleur.
(d) To rid the castle of evil spirits.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of John Shade's aunt?

2. According to Kinbote, who was Thurgus the Third's lover?

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

4. In Canto Two we find that Shade's daughter had been vacationing in what faraway place?

5. Where was the foreword written?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 475 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample