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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of Victor's art teacher?

2. In Chapter 6, who has Pnin found a permanent housing solution from?

3. In Chapter 6, how many roommates does Pnin have in the house he is renting?

4. In Chapter 6, what university does Pnin learn his friend tried to get him a position at?

5. In Chapter 6, what country is the department head's replacement from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Roza Shpolyanski and Pnin talk about at the party in Chapter 5?

2. What are a few examples of what the students at Waindell College do at the beginning of every year?

3. What does Pnin give to Victor during their first meeting?

4. Where is Pnin living in Chapter 6 and how does he feel about it?

5. What happens to Pnin while traveling to the cabin in Chapter 5?

6. What is Pnin worried that he might have broken at the end of Chapter 6?

7. Who runs St. Bartholomew's? Describe in detail.

8. Who is the artist that Pnin meets while going for a swim in the lake, and what does Pnin wish after meeting him?

9. Why does Liza decide to send Victor to school at St. Bartholomew's?

10. Who is Al Cook's wife and why do they not have children?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the character of Victor, and examine how he affects Pnin's life.

Part 1) What kind of person is Victor? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Part 2) How has Victor affected Pnin?

Part 3) What kind of relationship do Pnin and Victor have?

Essay Topic 2

The author gives many details about Pnin's personality through description and with flashbacks. Analyze the use of flashbacks used in the novel "Pnin". How does the use of flashbacks help to develop the characters? Are the flashbacks used in "Pnin" important for the development of his character? Are flashbacks confusing or helpful?

Essay Topic 3

The story of Pnin can be enhanced by learning about the author of the book. Research the author Vladimir Nabokov, comparing him to the character of Professor Timofey Pnin. How are Pnin and Nabokov similar? How are Pnin and Nabokov different? Why would Nabokov write a book that clearly is very related to his own life? How is "Pnin" an indicator of Nabokov's life as an immigrant?

(see the answer keys)

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