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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 does Lyzhin do for the beadle when he sees him at von Taunitz's?

2. How soon does Olga remarry when Kukin dies?

3. Who is the only person who can behave comfortably around Bishop Pyotr?

4. What is Katya's reaction to Pyotr's title as bishop?

5. According to the artist in "The House with the Mezzanine", what is the only thing worth living for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the town of Ukleyevo from "In the Ravine". What is life like there?

2. According to Ivan Ivanych, what is the balance of sadness and happiness in the world?

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

4. In "On Official Business", why does the coroner believe the city is the center of Russia? What does he think of the village and countryside?

5. In "At Christmastime", what kind of family life does Vasilisa's daughter have in Petersburg? How does this affect her relationship with her parents?

6. How does Katya show how she feels about Pyotr's status as a bishop?

7. In "On Official Business", the coroner has a dream about the beadle and the Zemstvo walking side by side. Write a brief interpretation of this dream.

8. How does Korolev show judgment on the Lialikovs?

9. Describe Belikov from "The Man in a Case" and what makes him so different from everyone else in his village. What influence does he have on the people around him?

10. How does Olga become committed to Sasha?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From "A Boring Story", write an essay about male/male and female/female relationships. Base answers on Stepanych and Mr. Gnekker's relationship for male/male and Varya and Liza's relationship with Katya for female/female. Why is it difficult for Stepanych to like Mr. Gnekker and why is it difficult for Liza and Varya to like Katya and vice versa?

Essay Topic 2

How does familiarity help those in grieving moments? For example, the woman who might have reminded Ieronym of Nikolai (Easter Night), Vanka (Vanka) writing to his grandfather, or Varka (Sleepy Night) dreaming of her late parents. Why is familiarity consoling? Feel free to use other examples as well.

Essay Topic 3

Nevyrazimov (Small Fry) and Vanka (Vanka) are just two examples of how the lack of education can stop a person's wishes. The wishes may be moving up in the world or lateral in position but better in conditions. Write an essay on how and why the poor stay poor? Why is it so difficult for the poor to get out of current situations? Is it a lack of hard work? Is it a lack of opportunities? Is it a lack of motivation?

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This section contains 1,700 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample