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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Soon, the string of nurses transforms into what?
(a) A string of doctors.
(b) A string of teachers.
(c) A string of governesses.
(d) A string of surgeons.

2. To whom does Nabokov feel the strongest bond of kinship?
(a) His father's maternal grandfather, Nikolay Illarionovich Kozlov.
(b) His father's paternal grandfather, Nikolay Illarionovich Kozlov.
(c) His mother's maternal grandfather, Nikolay Illarionovich Kozlov.
(d) His mother's paternal grandfather, Nikolay Illarionovich Kozlov.

3. How does the family spend their time in this town?
(a) Shopping.
(b) On a boat.
(c) On the beach.
(d) Mountain climbing.

4. How does Mademoiselle provide Vladimir with an extra hour or two out of the darkness?
(a) He sits with him while he falls asleep.
(b) The light from her lamp gives a little light to his room.
(c) She allows him to fall asleep in her room.
(d) She leaves a candle lit by his bed.

5. What is a battle against the yawning darkness?
(a) Love.
(b) Religion.
(c) Autobiography.
(d) Prayer.

Short Answer Questions

1. Each day, when he awakes, how can young Vladimir tell what kind of day it is?

2. How long does the family stay in Paris?

3. To what does Nabokov compare existence?

4. Why does Nabokov's father force the family to leave a sidewalk cafe?

5. Mademoiselle threatens several times to leave. Why does she end up staying?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nabokov describe the poet?

2. Describe Nabokov's mother.

3. Who is Tamara?

4. Describe Nabokov's ancestors.

5. How does Nabokov's autobiography begin?

6. How does his butterfly hobby affect his life?

7. When does Nabokov begin to write poetry?

8. What jobs does Nabokov's father hold throughout his career?

9. What evidence from the text shows that Nabokov is beginning to have an interest in girls?

10. What does Nabokov experience in Crimea?

(see the answer keys)

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