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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. They board the Sud-Express and disembark in what town?

2. Why is he detained briefly in 1918, by a Bolshevik soldier?

3. To what simple rule does Nabokov's mother ascribe?

4. Where do the children bathe?

5. How does Mr. Cummings influence Nabokov's scientific drawings of butterflies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Nabokov angry with the Bolsheviks? What is the cause of this anger?

2. Who is Mademoiselle?

3. How does Nabokov describe the poet?

4. What does young Vladimir think about when he wakes in the morning?

5. What is happening in the science of butterflies?

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

7. Nabokov reveals that his mind always associates sounds with colors. How does his mother react to this unusual sensibility?

8. What is Nabokov's favorite Captain Mayne Reid novel? Why?

9. Nabokov is surprised to learn of what happens to several of his art teachers in the future. Why?

10. Vladimir and his brother, Sergey, go through a series of nurses and governesses. Describe some of his memories of these women.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nabokov has always had difficulty sleeping.

Part 1) Why?

Part 2) What is the purpose of an autobiography?

Part 3) What is the purpose of this autobiography?

Essay Topic 2

Nabokov seems to have a close relationship with his father.

Part 1) Describe their relationship.

Part 2) Compare and contrast Nabokov's relationship with his father and his relationship with his mother.

Part 3) What are possible reasons for the differences in the two relationships?

Essay Topic 3

Nabokov gives a brief history of his maternal and paternal ancestors.

Part 1) Describe his paternal and maternal ancestors.

Part 2) Compare and contrast these ancestors.

Part 3) What can one learn about Nabokov from this information?

(see the answer keys)

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