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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the staff at Victor's school keep his art teacher around?
(a) Because he has tenure and cannot be fired.
(b) Because he is the son of the dean.
(c) Because there is something trendy about having a "distinguished freak" around.
(d) Because he's an excellent teacher.

2. What doesn't Victor like the gift that Pnin gives him during dinner?
(a) He hates that sport.
(b) He is more the intellectual type than athletic type.
(c) He really wanted a different type of ball.
(d) He already has a ball just like it.

3. Victor is happy about the book that Pnin picked out for him. Whom does he mistake its author for?
(a) Jane Austen.
(b) Dostoevsky.
(c) Jack London.
(d) Ernest Hemmingway.

4. At the party in Chapter 5, how old are most of the women?
(a) Forties.
(b) Mid-thirties.
(c) Fifties.
(d) Sixties.

5. In Chapter 6, where has Pnin's friend, who heads the department his job is attached to, accepted a new post at?
(a) Samson University.
(b) Waindell College.
(c) Warsaw University.
(d) Seaboard University.

6. What does Victor smell and hear at his school?
(a) Smells of chalk, ringing of whistles, and cries of children wanting to go home.
(b) Smells of old shoes, snapping of fingers, and laughter of children.
(c) Smells of incense, clanging of bells, and cries of children playing at recess.
(d) Smells of peppermint gum, banging of rulers, and whistling of the students.

7. How does the man who runs Victor's school treat the children?
(a) With minimal tolerance.
(b) Happily.
(c) Gently.
(d) Sternly.

8. At the party in Chapter 5, what type of game do the guests play after dinner?
(a) Volleyball.
(b) Croquet.
(c) Charades.
(d) Badminton.

9. At the end of Chapter 6, what does Pnin drop onto a pile of dishes?
(a) A golf ball.
(b) A hammer.
(c) A book.
(d) A nutcracker.

10. In Chapter 6, how soon before the party does Pnin begin preparing food and drinks?
(a) Hours before.
(b) A day before.
(c) A few minutes before.
(d) A week before.

11. What is the name of Victor's art teacher?
(a) Ocean.
(b) River.
(c) Lake.
(d) Brook.

12. Who arrives early to the housewarming party to assist Pnin with the preparations?
(a) Betty Bliss.
(b) Joan Clements.
(c) Al Cook.
(d) Varvara.

13. At the party in Chapter 5, what is the name of the host's wife?
(a) Tammy Fallon.
(b) Patty Lawrence.
(c) Sarah Martin.
(d) Susan Marshall.

14. Pnin does not have tenure yet. How does his position at the college still exist?
(a) By virtue of being attached to the Russian Department.
(b) By virtue of being attached to the Polish Department.
(c) By virtue of being attached to the German Department.
(d) By virtue of being attached to the French Department.

15. What does Victor show a lot of talent in, which for some reason worries his parents?
(a) Artistic talent.
(b) Acting talent.
(c) Athletic talent.
(d) Culinary talent.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the party in Chapter 5, what book does Pnin end up getting into an argument with Bolotov over?

2. In Chapter 5, whom does Pnin meet at the cabin who is an artist?

3. At the end of Chapter 6, what is Pnin worried that he broke while cleaning up after the housewarming party?

4. In Chapter 5, what do Pnin and the person he runs into before going on a swim talk about?

5. At the party in Chapter 5, where does Pnin know the other man who is close to his age from?

(see the answer keys)

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