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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do the extremists think King Charles will try to escape Zembla?
(a) On foot.
(b) By plane.
(c) By boat.
(d) By car.

2. Charles Kinbote "mercifully " attributes this name to one professor, perhaps due to his green jacket.
(a) Dr. Nattochdag.
(b) Jim Coates.
(c) Gerald Emerald.
(d) Green Velvet.

3. What event causes John Shade to have a vision of the afterlife?
(a) He is hit by a car.
(b) He gets lost in the Zemblan Mountains without food or water.
(c) He suffers a stroke.
(d) He has a heart attack.

4. John Shade gives a lecture on what in Canto Three?
(a) Death.
(b) Zembla.
(c) Poetry.
(d) Birds.

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

6. Who is King Charles' grandfather?
(a) Charles Kinbote.
(b) Odon.
(c) Thurgus the Third.
(d) King Alfin the Vague.

7. Where did Kinbote and Shade meet?
(a) Zembla.
(b) The faculty club at lunch time.
(c) The library .
(d) The English Department faculty lounge.

8. Charles Kinbote gave John Shade a detailed drawing of King Charles' castle; what does he want John Shade's wife to do with the picture?
(a) Destroy it.
(b) Send it to him.
(c) Send it to the publisher.
(d) Frame it.

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

10. On what day did John Shade begin composing his poem "Pale Fire?"
(a) We are not told explicitly, only that it is during the summer.
(b) July 4th.
(c) July 5th.
(d) July 1st.

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

12. Who or what does John Shade claim to see in his near-death experience?
(a) His Wife.
(b) His daughter.
(c) A fountain.
(d) The Zemblan Mountains.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following best describes John Shade's idea of life on earth?

2. What is the name of the secret group that sends an assassin after King Charles?

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

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

5. The first draft of "Pale Fire" was composed on a series of index cards. How many index cards did the author use?

(see the answer keys)

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