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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who helps Pnin to adapt his room at the Clementses' house to his own utility and personality?
(a) One of his students.
(b) Laurence.
(c) Mrs. Clement.
(d) His brother.

2. What abstract field does Pnin have no interest of getting into teaching?
(a) Phonetics.
(b) Linguistics.
(c) History.
(d) Mathematics.

3. Why did Liza pretend that she wanted to be back with Pnin even though she was carrying Dr. Wind's child?
(a) She wanted Pnin to pay for the medical bills.
(b) She was using Pnin to help pay for her passage to the U.S.
(c) She wanted to hurt Pnin.
(d) She wanted Pnin to buy her a house.

4. In Chapter 3, how does Pnin feel about having to bring the book back to the library?
(a) Angry.
(b) Sad.
(c) Fine.
(d) Frustrated.

5. What is the name of the librarian at Pnin's college?
(a) Mrs. Thayer.
(b) Mrs. Wind.
(c) Mrs. Bliss.
(d) Mrs. Clements.

6. In Chapter 2, whom does Mrs. Clements invite Pnin to meet which he declines?
(a) Professor Bliss.
(b) Professor Wind.
(c) Professor Thayer.
(d) Professor Entwistle.

7. Like many people from his home country, with what does Pnin have a fascination?
(a) Complicated maps, tables, and schedules that are used to navigate train systems.
(b) Different languages.
(c) Complicated mathematic problems.
(d) American customs.

8. What does Laurence learn from Pnin, in Chapter 2, that helps to change how he feels about him?
(a) French facial expressions.
(b) Russian gestures.
(c) Swedish body language.
(d) Polish gestures.

9. After leaving the library in Chapter 3, what does Pnin decide to do for the night?
(a) Go to a music and movie night that some acquaintances of his are having.
(b) Watch some TV.
(c) Read a book in his room.
(d) Go straight to bed.

10. How does Pnin finally end up getting to the town in Chapter 1?
(a) He gets a ride with a group of women.
(b) He gets a ride with a group of men.
(c) He gets a ride with a young couple.
(d) He gets a ride from his brother.

11. In Chapter 3, up until this point in his life, what has Pnin always been?
(a) A constant worrier.
(b) A failure.
(c) A constant mover.
(d) A procrastinator.

12. What was Liza's profession when she met Pnin?
(a) A nurse.
(b) A teacher.
(c) A writer and medical student.
(d) A waitress.

13. What does Pnin recommend Laurence get, telling him he will not regret it?
(a) His teeth pulled and replaced with dentures.
(b) A hearing aid.
(c) Hair plugs put in.
(d) A new suit.

14. After showing his students a film, what does Pnin's student, Betty Bliss, remark that he looks like from the film?
(a) Buddha.
(b) George Washington.
(c) Moses.
(d) Hitler.

15. How would Pnin's English be described?
(a) Very poor.
(b) Perfectly fluent.
(c) Okay.
(d) Greatly improved.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why was Pnin made to sit in his bed for weeks with nothing to do when he was a child?

2. How would Pnin's laugh be described?

3. Who is sitting near Pnin while he is traveling in Chapter 1?

4. At the end of chapter 1, what poem does Pnin recall reciting in front of the entire school when he was a child?

5. Why is Pnin traveling at the book opens?

(see the answer keys)

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