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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What are the two most important things in Shade's life?
(a) His wife and Charles Kinbote.
(b) His poetry and his wife.
(c) His job as a professor and his wife.
(d) His Zemblan heritage and his wife.

3. John Shade vows to further explore what in Canto Two?
(a) Reincarnation vs. heaven and hell.
(b) The depths of human consciousness.
(c) The Zemblan Kings and their Gods.
(d) The possibility of an afterlife.

4. Which of the following most closely describes Kinbote's depiction by university drama students?
(a) A displaced Zemblan king on the run from assassins.
(b) A brilliant writer and professor who is loyal to his friend John Shade.
(c) A raving lunatic with no perception of reality.
(d) A pompus woman-hater with a German accent.

5. 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?
(a) Poor translation from Zemblan to English.
(b) Communists.
(c) John Shade's wife.
(d) The Shadeans.

6. Who is King Alfin the Vague's son?
(a) Charles Kinbote.
(b) John Shade.
(c) Dr. Sutton.
(d) King Charles.

7. How do the extremists try to prevent King Charles from leaving the country?
(a) They close all the airports.
(b) They search all trains.
(c) They search all caves.
(d) They outlaw driving.

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

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

10. What does Kinbote want us to believe was the catalyst for John Shade's choice to set "Pale Fire" during the winter months?
(a) The great tragedy Shade has experienced during winter.
(b) Shade meeting Kinbote during the previous winter.
(c) The Zemblan King's assasination in January.
(d) Bird flying south for the winter.

11. Why does young King Charles refuse to consummate his relationship with Fleur?
(a) She tries to steal from him.
(b) She is ugly.
(c) Her family is poor.
(d) He is homosexual.

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

13. While he makes his way through the mountains, King Charles stops to spend the night in which of the following places?
(a) In an abandoned car.
(b) In a cave.
(c) In the woods.
(d) On a farm.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who sets up John Shade's daughter on a blind date?

2. Where was the foreword written?

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

4. Who does Kinbote blame for not receiving an invitation to John Shade's birthday party?

5. Which pair best describe the prominent motifs of the first Canto?

(see the answer keys)

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