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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does Gradus go to look for the king?
(a) Cedarn.
(b) Quebec.
(c) Geneva.
(d) Russia.

2. What is John Shade doing when Charles Kinbote hallucinates that he hears his voice?
(a) Writing Canto Three.
(b) Golfing.
(c) Sleeping.
(d) Making love to his wife.

3. Where does Kinbote find the term "Tangra dust?"
(a) In an early draft of the poem.
(b) In the dictionary.
(c) Written on a napkin.
(d) In his copy of Timon of Athens.

4. Which of the following adjectives fits Kinbote's description of the Russians as they search the castle?
(a) Frightened.
(b) Obnoxiously.
(c) Unrealisticly.
(d) Admiringly.

5. Who circulated a letter objecting to Charles Kinbote editing "Pale Fire?"
(a) Gerald Emerald.
(b) Dr. Sutton.
(c) Professor Nattochdag.
(d) Sybil Shade.

6. What is one major point Kinbote and Shade disagree on?
(a) Poetry.
(b) Birds.
(c) Religion.
(d) Shakespeare.

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

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

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

10. John Shade says, "There's nothing wrong with shedding a dismal past to substitute pleasing _________?"
(a) Imagination.
(b) Poetry.
(c) History.
(d) Women.

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

12. Which of the following best describes the queen's initial feeling about King Charles when they meet after his escape?
(a) Adoringly devoted.
(b) Angry and frustrated.
(c) Hopeful and respectful.
(d) Disdainful.

13. What does Gradus bring Oswin Bretwit?
(a) A map of Zembla.
(b) A valuable coin collection.
(c) A newspaper.
(d) Letters between Bretwit's family members.

14. 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 dress in a red coat and hat.
(d) To wait in Geneva for a shipment of salmon.

15. Who is Kinbote's primary source of information on John Shade's daughter?
(a) Dr. Sutton.
(b) Jane Provost.
(c) Sybil Shade.
(d) John Shade.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. In what state does Kinbote arrive as Shade begins his last batch of index cards?

4. Shade mentions his wife translating poems into what language?

5. What does Charles Kinbote do when he finds out where the Shades' are planning to go on vacation?

(see the answer keys)

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