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

Short Answer Questions

1. What precaution does Nabokov's father take?

2. Why is Lenski working as a tutor?

3. What is happening in the larger cities of Western Europe?

4. What do both Vladimir's writings on technical matters as well as philosophical have in common?

5. Why is the relationship between Kirill, the younger brother, and Nabokov more like that of distant friends?

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 matures throughout this book.

Part 1) What evidence is there from the text that Nabokov is changing physically and emotionally?

Part 2) How does his father handle Nabokov's intimate questions, regarding changes in his body?

Part 3) Describe his relationships with girls. How do these relationships change as he grows up?

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)

This section contains 306 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample