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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. Which best describes Kinbote's reason for rejecting the offer by the first potential publisher of "Pale Fire"?
(a) He would not let Kinbote translate the poem into Zemblan.
(b) He made Kinbote responsible for any errors in the commentary.
(c) Kinbote would not have full editorial control.
(d) Sybil Shade would not recieve her full share of the profits.

5. Which of the following best describes a recurring theme in the first Canto?
(a) Reflection.
(b) Change.
(c) Color.
(d) Abandonment.

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

7. What book does King Charles find on his way out of the castle?
(a) Romeo and Juliet.
(b) Timon of Athens.
(c) A book of John Shade's poetry.
(d) The Bible.

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

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

10. During the forward Charles Kinbote oddly notes that he is distracted by who/what?
(a) Sybill Shade.
(b) A squirrel.
(c) An amusement park.
(d) Shadeans.

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

12. 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.

13. Who gives Kinbote information about John Shade's daughter?
(a) Sybil Shade.
(b) An old newspaper article.
(c) John Shade.
(d) Shade's former secretary.

14. A fellow-professor calls Charles Kinbote by what nickname?
(a) The Great Beaver.
(b) Gerald Emerald.
(c) Prof. C.
(d) The King of Zembla.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What animal did Shade's parents study?

3. John Shade vows to further explore what in Canto Two?

4. Which of the following best describes John Shade's daughter?

5. Kinbote leaves his blinds open to give him a better view of what?

(see the answer keys)

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