View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In, "In the Ravine", what is the village Ukleyevo known for?
(a) The man who ate all the caviar at a memorial.
(b) The good water.
(c) The vodka.
(d) The woman who burned the baby.

2. Who is the only person who can behave comfortably around Bishop Pyotr?
(a) Marya.
(b) No one.
(c) Sisoy.
(d) Katya.

3. According to the artist in "The House with the Mezzanine", what is the only thing worth living for?
(a) Spiritual activity.
(b) Philosophy.
(c) Money.
(d) Love.

4. What do Olga and Kukin believe the public prefers?
(a) Banality.
(b) Cultural classics.
(c) Operas.
(d) Comedies.

5. What does Anna Sergeevna fear when she starts relations with Gurov?
(a) The town will talk about her.
(b) Her husband will find out.
(c) He will no longer respect her.
(d) That she will be judged a sinner.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Olga is alone, what thoughts does she have?

2. When does Korolev believe social change will occur?

3. In "The Darling", why does Kukin hate the rain so much?

4. What arrangement do Gurov and Anna make to continue seeing each other?

5. What epiphany does Lyzhin realize while at von Taunitz's?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Tsybukins' reaction to Nikifor's death?

2. In "On Official Business", what is the difference between the coroner and the doctor in the way they view life?

3. How are the homes of Lida and the artist, from "The House with the Mezzanine", symbolic of their respective personalities?

4. Compare and contrast Olga's husbands and lovers. How are their personality types alike and different? How does this affect Olga as a person?

5. What is going through Anisim's head as he is getting married? What might this foreshadow in his life?

6. How is Pyotr different as a person and as a bishop?

7. What does Korolev theorize is the cause of imbalance between the strong and the weak?

8. In "At Christmastime", Vasilisa writes a letter to her daughter after four years of not seeing her. Why does Vasilisa take such care in her choice of words?

9. Dr. Starchenko from "On Official Business" mentions old folks disliking this "nervous age." What might this "nervous age" refer to?

10. In "The Lady with the Little Dog", why does Dmitri Gurov see Anna Sergeeva differently than all the other women in his life? What makes her so much more appealing?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,693 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample