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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. John Shade comes to the realization that he can not find what at the I.P.H.?
(a) Truth about the after-life.
(b) Truth about the sordid history of Zembla.
(c) Truth about Shakespeare's sonnets.
(d) Truth about bird watching.

2. Where do the Shade's travel to take their minds off their daughter's death?
(a) Zembla.
(b) Italy.
(c) New Wye.
(d) France.

3. "Forty ounces of fine sand" describes what in Canto One?
(a) A length of time.
(b) Snow falling from the sky.
(c) The texture of a windowpane.
(d) A bird's nest.

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

5. How does John Shade refer to the I.P.H.?
(a) If.
(b) The Institute.
(c) The International Poetry House.
(d) The "H".

Short Answer Questions

1. Kinbote leaves his blinds open to give him a better view of what?

2. What happened to Shade's parents when he was a boy?

3. The phrase "pale fire" is used in the foreword to describe what?

4. How does John Shade understand his life?

5. Canto Four contains a metaphor comparing this activity to John Shade's writing process?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some early examples of reflection as a theme in the poem "Pale Fire?"

2. What do we learn about King Charles X in Canto Two?

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

4. Describe John Shade's writing process.

5. Briefly describe Fleur.

6. What was the original use of the secret passageway in the Zemblan castle? Where does it lead?

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

8. Does it surprise you that John Shade renounces religion yet he wants to believe in the after-life?

9. List a few possible motivations for Shade's desire to learn more about the after-life.

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

(see the answer keys)

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