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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Kinbote in the commentary, the queen resembles______.
(a) Shade's secretary.
(b) Sybil Shade.
(c) A young boy.
(d) Iris Acht, the famous actress.

2. Whose spirit supposedly haunts the barn?
(a) King Alfin the Vague.
(b) The farmer who used to sleep there.
(c) Hazel Shade.
(d) King Charles.

3. When a visiting professor requests a picture of King Charles, who goes to get it?
(a) Dr. Sutton.
(b) John Shade.
(c) Gerald Emerald.
(d) Charles Kinbote.

4. Kinbote rejects the idea that randomness extends into what?
(a) King Charles' assassination.
(b) Religion.
(c) Zemblan theology.
(d) The afterlife.

5. According to Kinbote, what is the best part of Canto Four?
(a) The part about Zembla.
(b) The opening.
(c) The last line.
(d) The rhymes.

6. How many times did Kinbote find Zembla directly mentioned?
(a) None.
(b) Twice.
(c) One.
(d) Constantly.

7. Kinbote reflects on the absurdity of what?
(a) Gradus.
(b) Sybil Shade.
(c) Gerald Emerald.
(d) Psychoanalysis.

8. Kinbote fills in a blank space in "Pale Fire" with what name?
(a) His own.
(b) King Charles.
(c) Zembla.
(d) John Shade.

9. Who tells Gradus Disa's estate is empty?
(a) Charles Kinbote.
(b) A Russian spy.
(c) A taxi driver.
(d) Odon.

10. Kinbote criticizes the passage in which Shade alternates between the story of his daughter's death, and what he and his wife are doing at the time. What is his major criticism of this passage?
(a) It doesn't rhyme.
(b) It is unrealistic.
(c) It is not sincere enough.
(d) It is too drawn out.

11. Who does John Shade address in line 246 which ends "...my dear"
(a) His wife.
(b) Charles Kinbote.
(c) His mother.
(d) His daughter.

12. What is the name of Joseph S. Lavender's nephew?
(a) Lex.
(b) Gordon.
(c) Charles.
(d) Dean.

13. Shade refers to a book by which of the following authors in Line 384?
(a) Shakespeare.
(b) Frost.
(c) Pope.
(d) Faust.

14. According to Kinbote, what does "Ex" stand for?
(a) Formers.
(b) Extraterrestrial.
(c) Ex-lover.
(d) Exton.

15. When Gradus attempts to visit Joseph S. Lavender, Lavender asks Gradus if he is a/an ______?
(a) Spy.
(b) Assassin.
(c) Reporter.
(d) Art dealer.

Short Answer Questions

1. On what date does John Shade compose lines 797-809?

2. According to Kinbote what is the only real name used in the poem, "Pale Fire?"

3. What ailment troubles Gradus when he arrives in New Wye?

4. In this section, Kinbote gives an extended, negative critique of what?

5. Charles Kinbote writes a brief play about what event?

(see the answer keys)

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