View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What painting does Luzhin take note of in his fiancee's parents' home?
(a) A painting of a horse and carriage in winter.
(b) A painting of the buildings of Moscow.
(c) A painting of two dogs on a sofa.
(d) A painting of a Russian girl eating an apple.

2. When Luzhin's father goes to write a book about a boy like his son, what is the first scene that occurs to him?
(a) A boy playing a simultaneous chess match.
(b) A boy beating his father at their first game of chess.
(c) A boy winning an adult chess tournament.
(d) A boy hiding in his room, reading chess magazines.

3. What does Luzhin's father suspect his son of looking for in illustrated magazines?
(a) Chess puzzles.
(b) Naked women.
(c) Pictures of far-off lands.
(d) Articles about his father.

4. When Luzhin's family arrives in the city, where does Luzhin run off to?
(a) A library.
(b) Nearby woods.
(c) A museum.
(d) The train station.

5. Where do the people at the chess tournament tell Luzhin to go?
(a) Home.
(b) Back to Russia.
(c) Out of Berlin.
(d) To his hotel.

6. What does Luzhin do when he goes up to his room after he's met his future wife's mother?
(a) He works on his chess game.
(b) He takes a nap.
(c) He writes a letter to his future wife.
(d) He eats a meal.

7. What habit of Luzhin's particularly annoys his future wife's mother?
(a) He talks into his hat.
(b) He sits with his back to her.
(c) He talks about himself in the third person.
(d) He looks at her shoes when he talks.

8. What is Luzhin's problem in school?
(a) Playing too much.
(b) Math.
(c) Social interaction.
(d) Understanding lessons.

9. How does the woman Luzhin meets in Germany (his future wife) think of his father?
(a) She thinks he must have been sad, angry, and bitter toward Luzhin.
(b) She thinks he must have been kind, earnest, and fond of Luzhin.
(c) She thinks he must have been selfish, ignorant, and jealous of Luzhin.
(d) She thinks he must have been naive, slow, and uncomprehending toward Luzhin.

10. During the beginning of the chess game with Turati, who seems to be winning?
(a) Both think the other is winning.
(b) Luzhin seems to be winning.
(c) No one seems to be winning.
(d) Turati seems to be winning.

11. At the beginning of the novel, what does the main character associate the name "Luzhin" with?
(a) His mother.
(b) Nothing.
(c) His father.
(d) Himself.

12. What fundamental drive does Luzhin's future wife have?
(a) The need to romanticize herself to others.
(b) The need to understand the world is a logical, organized way.
(c) The need to help any creature that is suffering.
(d) The need to feel superior to others.

13. What did Luzhin do the previous Christmas with the chocolates meant for his aunt?
(a) He put the chocolates in a new box to give to her.
(b) He ate half and rearranged the rest to hide the missing ones.
(c) He kept the chocolates and gave her a different preset.
(d) He carefully wrapped each chocolate and arranged them in the box for her.

14. Who does Luzhin's future wife make him think of, when he first meets him?
(a) His aunt.
(b) His mother.
(c) A girl at his school.
(d) A prostitute.

15. When Luzhin meets his future wife's mother, what is the mother's opinion of him?
(a) That he is a too-slick con artist.
(b) That he is delightful.
(c) That he is too good for her daughter.
(d) That he is a boor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Luzhin like most at his birthday party?

2. Who sketches Luzhin and Turati at the chess tournament in Berlin?

3. What does Luzhin's future wife hear that he does in his room late at night?

4. How many games does it take before Luzhin's opponent begins having difficulty beating him?

5. What does Luzhin's future wife's mother think of his profession as a chess champion?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 694 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample