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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Nabokov remember about his father's remarkable writing ability?

2. What does young Nabokov's status as a child of the intelligentsia often do to him?

3. What fills Nabokov with surprise, while roller-skating?

4. What is the subject of this chapter?

5. What does the revolution do to most of the Russian writers and artists?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This autobiographical work ends with the family leaving on a boat for the United States.

Part 1) What might be the reason they decide to immigrate to the United States?

Part 2) What struggles might the family encounter? Why?

Part 3) Will Nabokov be successful in the United States? Why or why not?

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

Lenski is one of the more significant tutors in Nabokov's teen years?

Part 1) What is Nobakov's opinion of Lenski?

Part 2) What does Lenski try to give both the boys and their father?

Part 3) How do the boys react to their education from Lenski? How might this information be useful to them in later years?

(see the answer keys)

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