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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Kinbote recounts a walk with John Shade. On this walk Kinbote unsuccessfully tries to pry from Shade information about which of the following topics?
(a) Shade's poem.
(b) Shade's daughter.
(c) Plants and animals.
(d) Zembla.

2. At his hotel Gradus receives orders from headquarters telling him to do what?
(a) Take a taxi to Paris.
(b) Go to Disa's estate.
(c) Nothing.
(d) Go to New Wye.

3. Gradus misinterprets a coded message from headquarters. What does he think his orders are?
(a) To follow the king to America.
(b) To wait in Geneva for further instructions.
(c) To wait in Geneva for a shipment of salmon.
(d) To dress in a red coat and hat.

4. Kinbote has an auditory hallucination of John Shade's voice telling him to do what?
(a) Write a poem.
(b) Go for a walk.
(c) Kill him.
(d) Go to his house.

5. What message did Gradus incorrectly give headquarters?
(a) He is on the way to America.
(b) He has received the salmon.
(c) He does not know the king's location.
(d) He knows the king's location.

6. In this section (Lines 597-608), Charles Kinbote spies on a conversation between John Shade and whom?
(a) Dr. Sutton.
(b) Gradus.
(c) Sybil Shade.
(d) Mrs. Hurley.

7. Whose letter reveals the king's location to Gradus?
(a) John Shade.
(b) Odon.
(c) Sybil Shade.
(d) Charles Kinbote.

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

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

10. Gradus visits Oswin Bretwit in order to find information on King Charles' location. What is Oswin Bretwit's profession?
(a) A member of the Shadows.
(b) A spy.
(c) A reporter.
(d) A Zemblan diplomat.

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

12. Why does Kinbote think Russians are gloomy?
(a) The death of King Charles.
(b) Enforced nationalism.
(c) Too much vodka.
(d) The weather.

13. What does the name "Kinbote" mean?
(a) A true friend.
(b) A great poet.
(c) A king's killer.
(d) A lover of men.

14. According to Kinbote, what is the third method of composing poetry?
(a) Rhetorically.
(b) Through prayer.
(c) By memory.
(d) Subconsciously.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Kinbote reflects on the absurdity of what?

2. How many times did Kinbote find Zembla directly mentioned?

3. According to Kinbote, King Charles lands near which city?

4. Who is Kinbote's primary source of information on John Shade's daughter?

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

(see the answer keys)

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