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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. In what state does Kinbote arrive as Shade begins his last batch of index cards?
(a) New York.
(b) Pennsylvania.
(c) New Jersey.
(d) Maryland.

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

3. Charles Kinbote writes a brief play about what event?
(a) John Shade's birthday.
(b) King Charles' escape.
(c) Hazel Shade's seance.
(d) The Shades' vacation.

4. In this section (Lines 597-608), Charles Kinbote spies on a conversation between John Shade and whom?
(a) Gradus.
(b) Mrs. Hurley.
(c) Dr. Sutton.
(d) Sybil Shade.

5. Kinbote describes Russian soldiers giving what to Zemblan children?
(a) Red hats and coats.
(b) Propaganda.
(c) Candy.
(d) Rifles.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following adjectives fits Kinbote's description of the Russians as they search the castle?

2. According to Kinbote, King Charles lands near which city?

3. What does Gradus bring Oswin Bretwit?

4. Kinbote criticizes the passage in which Shade alternates between the story of his daughter's death, and what he and his wife are doing at the time. What is his major criticism of this passage?

5. According to Kinbote, what is the third method of composing poetry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kinbote embrace organized religion?

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

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

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

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

6. Give a brief account of the events involving Disa and King Charles after the revolution.

7. Who does Disa mirror in Kinbote's life?

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

9. What is significant about the way Shade relates his name to the word "ombre" a French word that connotes shadows and darkness?

10. Comment on a few similarities between Charles Kinbote and King Charles.

(see the answer keys)

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