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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 does the rain cause to grow on the estate?

2. What would change throughout Nabokov's childhood, depending on the prevailing advice of the family's current medical consultant?

3. To what does Nabokov compare existence?

4. Who occupies one of the estates near St. Petersburg when not abroad?

5. How does the Nabokov family frequently travel from St. Petersburg to Paris?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nabokov's life like after leaving Cambridge?

2. What does the Russian revolution do to most of Russia's writers and artists?

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

4. What happens to the family once they leave Russia?

5. Explain the process used to create this book.

6. Why does Nabokov have trouble sleeping?

7. What is cause is Vladimir's passion?

8. What is happening in the science of butterflies?

9. Who are the tutors hired to educate the Nabokov children?

10. How is Nabokov's experience at Cambridge?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What surprises Nabokov when he encounters his former nanny, "Mademoiselle," years later? What are two possible reasons for his confusion?

Essay Topic 2

Part of this autobiography observes the beginnings of Nabokov's literary talents.

Part 1) How do we first catch a glimpse of his talent as a writer?

Part 2) What is his process for creating his writing, at this stage in his life?

Part 3) How might the encouragement he receives from his family affect his writing career later in life?

Essay Topic 3

Nabokov speaks mainly of his brother and himself as experiencing a liberal education, even though Nabokov has two sisters.

Part 1) Why are they rarely mentioned?

Part 2) What training would be important for a girl in this society?

Part 3) What is the role of women at this time?

(see the answer keys)

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