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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who makes sexual advances on King Charles during the commentary to line 149?
(a) Fleur.
(b) Oleg.
(c) Odon.
(d) Garh.

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

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

4. Which pair best describe the prominent motifs of the first Canto?
(a) Innocence and loss.
(b) Windows and snow.
(c) Nature and technology.
(d) Nature and death.

5. John Shade is skeptical but he wants to believe in what?
(a) Religion.
(b) His daughther is still alive.
(c) His lineage of Zemblan Kings.
(d) The after-life.

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

7. The first draft of "Pale Fire" was composed on a series of index cards. How many index cards did the author use?
(a) 80.
(b) 4.
(c) 334.
(d) 166.

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

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

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

11. "Pale Fire" is broken up into how many cantos?
(a) 80.
(b) 4.
(c) 334.
(d) 166.

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

13. Who sets up John Shade's daughter on a blind date?
(a) Kinbote.
(b) His aunt.
(c) Dr. Sutton.
(d) His secretary.

14. The phrase "pale fire" is used in the foreword to describe what?
(a) Index cards burning in an incinerator.
(b) A squirrel.
(c) The snow in New Wye.
(d) The reflection of sunlight off the moon.

15. The final couplet of "Pale Fire" describes what image?
(a) A gardener pushing a wheel barrow.
(b) The Zemblan countryside.
(c) John Shade's daughter.
(d) A bird flying into a closed window.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which Pope is mentioned in the commentary to Line 85?

2. Of the following, which has been added to Shade's childhood home?

3. On what day did John Shade begin composing his poem "Pale Fire?"

4. 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?

5. How do the Shade's spend the evening of their daughter's blind date?

(see the answer keys)

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