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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Maria Dmitrievna warn Natasha against?
(a) Anatole.
(b) Princess Mary.
(c) the old Prince.
(d) Helene.

2. Who is Count Rostopchin?
(a) A general under Kutuzov sent to keep order in Moscow as the French advance.
(b) A court official appointed by Alexander to get the aristocracy out of Moscow.
(c) The governor of Moscow.
(d) A busybody who throws his weight around.

3. Why is Petya forbidden by his general to take part in Denisov's action when he sends Petya with a dispatch for him?
(a) Count Rostov has requested that Petya not be in action.
(b) Petya has disgraced himself with his generous but servile behavior with the rest of his regiment.
(c) During a previous action, instead of staying back Petya rides to the front of the line and fires a pistol twice.
(d) Petya disobeys orders and, through his recklessness, disrupts an important skirmish.

4. How does Kutuzov's staff explain their plan to cut off the French on the road to Smolensk to him?
(a) They don't explain anything, but merely tell him they will abide by his request.
(b) They send an envelope with a blank piece of paper in it.
(c) They detail the plan heavily hoping that he will appreciate their military genius.
(d) They do not communicate with him, they just do it.

5. How does Kutuzov react when he hears that the French have left Moscow?
(a) He is pleased but still worried about upcoming battles.
(b) He is unusually angry that the Tsar and his staff have not had faith in him.
(c) He thanks God and weeps.
(d) He has expected it all along.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long did the French and Russians not engage in battle after Borodino?

2. How does Tolstoy view Napoleon's dispositions for the Battle of Borodino?

3. Why does Tolstoy think Napoleon started the war with Russia?

4. What happens to Mary right after her father dies?

5. In Tolstoy's mathematical problem, what kind of animal is Achilles trying to catch up with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sonya react to Natasha when she finds Anatole's letter to her?

2. When the French are marching with the prisoners, what does Pierre notice of himself when marching and when resting?

3. Why does Andrew request a post in Turkey?

4. Why does Natasha get so upset during her visit with the Bolkonskis?

5. Why is Mary so unhappy when the Bolkonskis go to Moscow?

6. How do Mary and Natasha overcome their grief?

7. Berg goes to the Rostov's as they are packing up to leave Moscow. Why does he go there?

8. What has happened to Pierre to change Natasha's view about him?

9. How does Tolstoy view the war and its causes?

10. How does Pierre comfort Natasha after she tries to kill herself and how does she regard his words?

(see the answer keys)

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