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

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

3. According to Kinbote, who gives Gradus a ride?
(a) John Shade.
(b) Jim Coates.
(c) Gerald Emerald.
(d) Sybil Shade.

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

5. According to Kinbote in the commentary, the queen resembles______.
(a) Shade's secretary.
(b) A young boy.
(c) Iris Acht, the famous actress.
(d) Sybil Shade.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following best describes Gradus' feelings towards his role in the revolution?

2. Kinbote reflects on the absurdity of what?

3. According to Kinbote, what is Gradus doing while John Shade is composing Canto Four?

4. According to Kinbote, what does "Ex" stand for?

5. Kinbote has an auditory hallucination of John Shade's voice telling him to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about Kinbote criticizing Shade for using a title from another work for one of his own books?

2. Briefly summarize the conversation Kinbote overhears between Shade and Mrs. Hurley, and its relevance to "Pale Fire."

3. When does Kinbote finally merge with King Charles as written in the Commentary?

4. How does Kinbote respond when a professor tells him he looks like King Charles? Why might he react that way?

5. What does Kinbote do when he runs into Shade on the way to the doctor's office?

6. What does Kinbote relate to the death of Hazel?

7. Briefly recount Gradus' experience on the day he killed Shade, as told by Kinbote.

8. How does Kinbote summarize Canto Four?

9. How does Kinbote portray Hazel, and the scene in the barn?

10. What does Kinbote write about in the commentary as the poem addresses Hazel's death?

(see the answer keys)

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