View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How has Pierre's huge inheritance changed him financially?
(a) He is thrilled at having so much money that he has a huge surplus each month.
(b) He notices that although he has more money than before, he often has to pay so much out that he must borrow in order to fulfill his obligations.
(c) He does not really pay attention to the fact that he is continually losing money.
(d) He wishes he had never inherited the money, as life was much simpler before.

2. Andrew goes to Speranski's for dinner What does he think of him and his company?
(a) He is surprised at the conversation but he agrees.
(b) He is angry at their criticism of people he admires so much.
(c) He is delighted to be in such interesting and illustrious company.
(d) He is disappointed at the company's superficial conversation and criticism of everyone.

3. Andrew has been taken prisoner by the French. What do they do with him?
(a) Napoleon remembers him, admires his courage, and sends him to his own doctor to be tended.
(b) Napoleon sees him, remembers his carrying the Russian standard, and sends him to a hospital.
(c) They put him on the stretcher but then determine that he is dead and so leave him in the field.
(d) Napoleon remembers him, so they put him on a stretcher, but steal his icon.

4. Where does Pierre go the day after his duel?
(a) He goes to visit Prince Andrew at Bogucharovo.
(b) He goes to his estates in Kiev.
(c) He goes home and stays in isolation for a week.
(d) He leaves for St. Petersburg.

5. What does Count Rostov do when his wife asks him for a large sum of money, 500 rubles?
(a) He begins to weep because they don't have it to spare.
(b) He ignores her and walks away.
(c) He asks their steward to bring 700 rubles.
(d) He gets furious and calls her a spendthrift.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Anna Mikhaylovna, Prince Vasili and Catiche argue about outside of the old Count's room?

2. The Rostovs are celebrating at their home in the very beginning of Book One. What is the reason for entertaining guests?

3. Princess Mary wishes to speak to Andrew before he leaves about a specific request. What is it?

4. How does Maria Dmitrievna respond to Natasha's insolence at the dinner table?

5. What does Nicholas do after it is discovered that Denisov's money has been stolen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What goes through Andrew's mind during the New Years Eve ball?

2. Prince Vasili is described in the beginning at Anna Pavlovna's soiree. What is Prince Vasili's most notable characteristic at this point in the story.

3. How has Prince Andrew changed by being involved in the war instead of St. Petersburg society? Why did this change occur?

4. Why is Nicholas so keen on sighting the wolf before anyone else?

5. Why does Kutuzov not push his troops into combat?

6. What happens when Boris frequently visits the Rostovs and Natasha in particular?

7. Dolokhov wants to beat Rostov at cards and sets a monetary number for himself. What is this number and how and why does he arrive at it?

8. What are the obvious differences between Prince Andrew and Pierre that is illustrated at the start of the story?

9. Why do the three princesses living at Count Bezukhov's treat Pierre so badly?

10. How does the old prince react to Lise's death and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,189 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample