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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 is the root of poverty in Anya's family?

2. What must Anyuta finish in order to get more tea and tobacco?

3. Why is Varka happy to fetch the firewood?

4. What do Nevyrazimov and Paramon hear through the vents?

5. What brought Gusev away to the Far East?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does real life affect Varka's sleep at night?

2. When a fellow soldier asks Gusev if he is not afraid to die, what is his response? How does his response reflect his character?

3. What will happen to Vanka at the end of his story?

4. What stops Nevyrazimov from moving up in the world?

5. What makes akathists so difficult?

6. What consumes Bronze so much in life over the last 50 years in "Rothschild's Fiddle"?

7. Why does the black monk make Andrei Kovrin feel good?

8. Describe Maria's upbringing under Andreich. What is Andreich's role in her life?

9. Compare and contrast Mashenka and Matvei's reaction to Vasya's letter that he is returning home.

10. Why doesn't Grigoriev believe the magistrate when he says taking nuts will derail the train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The only thing Varka in "Sleepy" wants is sleep. Eventually she gets it by killing the baby that cries. Anton Chekhov writes, "and a moment later [Varka] is already fast asleep, like the dead..." Why does Chekhov write an ellipsis at the end of Varka's story? What is the reader led to believe?

Essay Topic 2

Dr. Andrei Yefimych (Ward No. 6) speaks about the difference between man and other animals. How does this character differ from Chekhov's character the Explainer in "In Exile". Imagine a dialogue between the two persons and how they are likely to interact. Why would each of them come to such polar conclusions about life?

Essay Topic 3

Based on Chekhov's stories, write about what his philosophy might be.

(see the answer keys)

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