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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 kind of people did the old money lender used to lend money to?

2. Who brings Nikiforovich to the party?

3. How does Kovalev communicate with Podtochina?

4. Who brings Kovalev his nose?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ivanonich insult Nikiforovich at the beginning of the story?

2. What is Pythagor's social standing?

3. How does Ivan Yakovlevich find Kovalev's nose?

4. What does Ivanovich find out about in the letters?

5. How do people react to the paintings in the art shop in Shchukin market?

6. How does Fedoseevna interfere with the argument between the two men?

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

8. How does Ivanovich become King Ferdinand III?

9. Describe the painting Chartkov buys from the art shop.

10. How is Pythagor embarrassed at the end of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How has society's view of opinions on madness changed since the mid 19th century? How would one have to adapt Diary of a Madman to be relevant today's society?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the author's writing style. How would you describe the author's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? What meaning does the author's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 3

With the students, discuss how one of the stories have influenced popular culture. Has the short story been adapted into any modern forms such as film? Has the story ever been referenced in popular culture? How has that medium adapted the story to contemporary society? Following the discussion, have the students write an essay on the subject of popular culture.

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