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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the professor, who Pnin decides to track down in Chapter 3, teach at the college?
(a) Biology.
(b) Mathematics.
(c) Fine Arts.
(d) Chemistry.

2. What is the name of the college where Pnin is a professor?
(a) Walden.
(b) Washington.
(c) Wagner.
(d) Waindell.

3. While on his way to the town in Chapter 1, what is Pnin horrified about the possibility of losing?
(a) His book bag.
(b) His satchel.
(c) His brief case.
(d) His suitcase.

4. What does Pnin ask the librarian in Chapter 3?
(a) If they have any more books on the same subject.
(b) If he can hang on to the book a while longer.
(c) If he can request a new book.
(d) If she can tell him who requested the book.

5. How does Mrs. Clements seem to feel about what Pnin puts in her washing machine?
(a) Angry.
(b) Very annoyed.
(c) Stressed.
(d) Amused.

6. By what means is Pnin traveling at the beginning of the book?
(a) Boat.
(b) Car.
(c) Train.
(d) Airplane.

7. Why does Pnin decide to track down a certain professor in Chapter 3?
(a) He wants to see if he wants to go get lunch.
(b) He wants ask him a question about his lecture.
(c) He wants to know whether he is the one who has requested his library book.
(d) He is angry that he requested his library book.

8. What does Pnin not realize while he is traveling in Chapter 1?
(a) That his car is not headed in the right direction.
(b) That he is not on the right plane.
(c) That he is not on the right train.
(d) That he is not on the right boat.

9. Where were Pnin and his wife Liza staying when she met Dr. Wind, the man she ends up leaving Pnin for?
(a) Austin, Texas.
(b) Meudon, a suburb of Paris.
(c) Tuva, Russia.
(d) Marseille, France.

10. What does Pnin call World War II?
(a) "Jewish War."
(b) "Hitler War."
(c) "German War."
(d) "Satan's War."

11. 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) Complicated mathematic problems.
(c) Different languages.
(d) American customs.

12. In Chapter 2, Pnin comes downstairs to complain about some annoyances. What does he see a fellow professor doing at the party?
(a) Stealing silverware.
(b) Drinking.
(c) Impersonating him.
(d) Kissing Mrs. Clements.

13. Why can't Pnin get his bag back from the man in Chapter 1?
(a) The man does not like foreign people.
(b) The man does not understand Pnin's imperfect English.
(c) The man has dementia.
(d) The man wants to keep the bag for himself.

14. What is Laurence Clements, a fellow professor of Pnin's, most popular course at college?
(a) Analyzing handwriting.
(b) Analyzing gestures.
(c) Studying body language.
(d) Studying facial expressions.

15. How would Pnin's laugh be described?
(a) Annoying.
(b) Screeching.
(c) Infectious.
(d) Obnoxious.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 3, how does Pnin feel about having to bring the book back to the library?

2. What is Laurence Clements wife's name?

3. What country did Pnin leave right before coming to America?

4. What is the name of the librarian at Pnin's college?

5. What abstract field does Pnin have no interest of getting into teaching?

(see the answer keys)

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