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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. Which of the following has Shade renounced?
(a) His religion.
(b) His family.
(c) His country.
(d) His friends.

2. Charles Kinbote "mercifully " attributes this name to one professor, perhaps due to his green jacket.
(a) Dr. Nattochdag.
(b) Green Velvet.
(c) Jim Coates.
(d) Gerald Emerald.

3. How did King Alfin the Vague die?
(a) In a plane crash.
(b) He committed suicide.
(c) He was assassinated.
(d) He had a stroke.

4. During what time of the year does John Shade prefer to write?
(a) Summer.
(b) Upon the conclusion of the Zemblan harvest.
(c) Winter.
(d) Spring.

5. King Alfin the Vague was an amateur______ .
(a) Gardener.
(b) Pilot.
(c) Ornothologist.
(d) Poet.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Which of the following is not among John Shade's pet peeves?

3. When did John Shade begin Canto Two?

4. Of the following, who is not mentioned in the first Canto?

5. What does Kinbote want us to believe was the catalyst for John Shade's choice to set "Pale Fire" during the winter months?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe John and Sybil Shade's relationship.

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

3. What are a few of John Shade's pet peeves?

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

5. Describe John Shade's daughter.

6. Give a brief synopsis of King Charles' escape.

7. How are Gradus and Kinbote similar?

8. How is Kinbote's birthday gift for Shade representative of Kinbote's commentary of the poem?

9. Briefly describe the supernatural occurrences in Canto Two.

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

(see the answer keys)

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