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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. In lines 936 and 937 of "Pale Fire" the phrase "I plow Old Zembla's fields" is used by John Shade as part of a metaphor for what literal activity?
(a) His relationship with his wife.
(b) Shaving.
(c) The changing seasons.
(d) Revisiting his Zemblan ancestry .

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

4. Who helps King Charles escape?
(a) Oleg.
(b) John Shade.
(c) Odon.
(d) Charles Kinbote.

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

6. 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) It does not mention Zembla.
(d) The article is critical of John Shade.

7. Charles Kinbote wants the reader to see the image of who/what after reading the lines 131-132, "I was the waxing slain by feigned remoteness in the windowpane?"
(a) John Shade's blackouts.
(b) Himself.
(c) Sybil Shade.
(d) Gradus.

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

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

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

11. During what time of the year does John Shade prefer to write?
(a) Summer.
(b) Spring.
(c) Upon the conclusion of the Zemblan harvest.
(d) Winter.

12. John Shade recites his poetry to one person prior to its publication. Who is that person?
(a) The king of Zembla.
(b) Dr. Sutton.
(c) His wife.
(d) Charles Kinbote.

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

14. How many lines are in Canto Four?
(a) 999 lines.
(b) 165 lines.
(c) 334 lines.
(d) 166 lines.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. John Shade criticizes his students for which of the following transgressions?

2. Who is King Alfin the Vague's son?

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

4. 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?

5. Who is the previous inhabitant of Charles Kinbote's house?

(see the answer keys)

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