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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How does King Charles get out of the room where he is being held prisoner without being detected?
(a) He seduces a guard who sets him free.
(b) He makes a rope ladder and climbs out the window.
(c) He disguses himself as a guard and walks out the front door.
(d) He escapes through a secret passageway.

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

4. Which of the following best describes King Alfin the Vague?
(a) Powerful and vindictive.
(b) Crafty and intelligent.
(c) Absent-minded and unworldly.
(d) Evil and harsh.

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

6. According to Kinbote, where did Sybil Shade relocate to upon John Shade's death?
(a) Cedarn,Utana.
(b) Russia.
(c) Zembla.
(d) Quebec.

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

8. Charles Kinbote criticizes an article written by Professor Hurley for what reason?
(a) The article doesn't mention Kinbote and Shade's friendship.
(b) The article does not mention "Pale Fire."
(c) The article is critical of John Shade.
(d) It does not mention Zembla.

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

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

11. Which Pope is mentioned in the commentary to Line 85?
(a) Benedict IX.
(b) Alexander I.
(c) Stephen II.
(d) Pius X.

12. How does John Shade's daughter die?
(a) She freezes to death in a field.
(b) She steps in front of a train.
(c) She drowns.
(d) She poisons herself.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following has Shade renounced?

2. Charles Kinbote "mercifully " attributes this name to one professor, perhaps due to his green jacket.

3. Which best describes Kinbote's reason for rejecting the offer by the first potential publisher of "Pale Fire"?

4. Which of the following is not mentioned by Shade in Canto One?

5. Following the death of King Charles' mother, Queen Blenda, a seance is held for what purpose?

(see the answer keys)

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