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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Mrs. Clements react to Laurence not wanting Pnin to stay in their house?
(a) She ignores him and lets Pnin stay.
(b) She yells at him and lets Pnin stay.
(c) She begs him to let Pnin stay.
(d) She says a prayer and Laurence eventually lets Pnin stay.

2. How serious is Pnin's condition?
(a) Very serious.
(b) Not terribly serious.
(c) Life-threatening.
(d) Not serious at all.

3. What does Pnin begin reading in his favorite spot after he talks to the librarian?
(a) A newsletter circulated by Russian immigrants.
(b) A newsletter circulated by Swedish immigrants.
(c) A newsletter circulated by Polish immigrants.
(d) A newsletter circulated by French immigrants.

4. What is the title of the book that Pnin is asked to bring back to the library in Chapter 3?
(a) The Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume 18.
(b) The Soviet Gold Fund of Literature, Volume 18.
(c) The Switzerland Gold Rush, Volume 16.
(d) The Russian Revolution, Volume 2.

5. What is Laurence Clements wife's name?
(a) Jane.
(b) Joan.
(c) Janis.
(d) Judith.

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

7. How does Pnin's class size compare to other classes in the college?
(a) Small.
(b) Average.
(c) Large.
(d) Very large.

8. Besides teaching his students to speak the language that he teaches, what does Pnin occasionally treat his class to?
(a) Polish history or literature.
(b) German history or literature.
(c) French history or literature.
(d) Russian history or literature.

9. What happens to Pnin, while he is discussing the poem in Chapter 3, which causes the class to laugh?
(a) He drops his glasses.
(b) He burps.
(c) He leans on a chair and falls over when it snaps under his weight.
(d) He trips over a student's leg.

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

11. Who is sitting near Pnin while he is traveling in Chapter 1?
(a) A soldier, and two mothers with their children.
(b) His brother and nephew.
(c) A young couple.
(d) A priest, and two businessmen.

12. Whom does Pnin ask for the first time he calls to rent a room in Chapter 2?
(a) A "Mrs. Water."
(b) A "Mrs. Wind."
(c) A Mrs. Earth."
(d) A "Mrs. Fire."

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

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

15. How long does Pnin usually stay at the places he rents?
(a) Two years.
(b) One year.
(c) No longer than a semester.
(d) Half a semester.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Like many people from his home country, with what does Pnin have a fascination?

3. Where was Pnin born?

4. In Chapter 3, which poet's poem does Pnin discuss concerning the uncertainty of death?

5. What city did Pnin end up in 1919?

(see the answer keys)

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