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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 Nikiforovich build in this story?

2. What is the name of the area in St. Petersburg where many poor and retired people live?

3. What do the men say will happen to Ivanovich if he refers to himself as the King of Spain?

4. What event does the Police Chief arrange?

5. What is Yakovlevish eating for breakfast at the beginning of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the narrator of the story.

2. What does Piskarev visualize when he takes the opium?

3. How does Pirogov get beaten up in this story?

4. How does Kovalev react when his nose returns?

5. How does Ivan dispose of Kovalev's nose?

6. How do the regiment change the town?

7. What is Pythagor's social standing?

8. How does Chartokov's life change when he becomes rich?

9. Describe Piskarev's dream about the girl?

10. How does Kovalev think Podtochina is involved in the disappearance of his nose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the book's chronological setting.

1. What were the main concerns during the mid 1800s? How does the author express these concerns?

2. How would the author change the book if it was set in today's society?

Essay Topic 2

Gogol's short stories were hugely influential.

How did Gogol help change short story writing? In what way is his influence still felt today?

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from one of the stories and discuss his or her goals and motives. Do they achieve their motive? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

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