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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. Where do the Russians march against?

2. What happens while Boris is away on the campaign?

3. What is the state of government by 1113?

4. How is power passed in Russia in 1067?

5. Who brings Kiy back to his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Yanka's pregnancy and marriage.

2. What is the Schism?

3. What is the nature of the political system in 1067?

4. Who are the Raskolniki?

5. What has changed since the scenes set in 180 AD?

6. Describe the opposition between Ivan and his brother.

7. What happens when Tsar Ivan divides his estate?

8. Describe Ivan's story.

9. What kind of political alliance does Milei suggest, and why does this injure Yanka?

10. What problem is Boris Bobrov having with his estate and how does he solve it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the price of historical progress as Russia develops from the 1600s to the 1900s? What is gained? What is given up, or lost? For example, is brutality the price of progress, as under Tsar Peter? Was culture lost as Russia Westernized?

Essay Topic 2

Write an evaluative review of "Russka". What is this book's place in culture? What are its uses? Who is its audience? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall form of the novel "Russka". Is it one overarching story, or is it a series of discrete stories that don't necessarily add up to a master narrative.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 682 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample