View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Kinbote blame for not receiving an invitation to John Shade's birthday party?
(a) Sybil Shade.
(b) Gradus.
(c) John Shade.
(d) Dr. Sutton.

2. How do the extremists think King Charles will try to escape Zembla?
(a) On foot.
(b) By boat.
(c) By car.
(d) By plane.

3. Which of the following is not mentioned by Shade in Canto One?
(a) A baseball game.
(b) Dr. Sutton.
(c) The sky.
(d) The Zemblan countryside.

4. How do the Shade's spend the evening of their daughter's blind date?
(a) Watching television.
(b) Studying birds.
(c) Writing poems.
(d) Reading.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who makes sexual advances on King Charles during the commentary to line 149?

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

3. John Shade is skeptical but he wants to believe in what?

4. How does John Shade's daughter die?

5. Which of the following most closely describes Kinbote's depiction by university drama students?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Kinbote's secret?

2. Provide an example or two of the reflection motif found between the commentary to lines 131 and the commentary to lines 162.

3. Describe John Shade's daughter.

4. Name some sports at which Kinbote is proficient.

5. What is significant about the bird in Canto One?

6. Cite an early clue that Charles Kinbote is an unreliable narrator.

7. Give examples from the text of reasons that the Extremists are unable to find King Charles once he escapes.

8. How does Kinbote characterize his relationship with John Shade?

9. How does John Shade describe himself as a youth in Canto One?

10. Briefly describe Fleur.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 721 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample