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 is the death of Bagration received in St. Petersburg?
(a) No one really is terribly upset as he had made himself terribly unpopular for expressing his frank opinion of Barclay de Tolly.
(b) Not much is said because everyone is sad about the death of Kutaysov.
(c) As he is among three well-known and liked men who die in the same battle, he is mourned equally with them.
(d) Everyone is deeply grieved, as he has done so much for the war effort and all his troops loved him.

2. Seven years after the war with France, how is Alexander regarded?
(a) He is well esteemed for his desire to flog the invaders despite the actual outcome.
(b) He is highly respected for all the good he has done for Russian since that time.
(c) He is looked upon with no respect for his mistakes with Napoleon.
(d) He is regarded as a sovereign who did his best but his enthusiasm and youth hindered his judgment.

3. What happens to Mary when she is leaving Bogucharovo for Moscow?
(a) The peasants on the land whom Andrew has freed refuse to let her leave.
(b) The peasants on the land riot, destroy her carts and keep her and Mlle. Bourienne confined to the house.
(c) The French enter the home and prevent her from leaving.
(d) Mlle. Bourienne persuades Mary to stay at Bogucharovo but the peasants do not want them there.

4. When Pierre has difficulty getting on a horse to ride with a general, how does the staff react to the sight of him?
(a) They are amused at his size but also impressed with the civilian who wants to see the war.
(b) They are derisive and unpleasant about his presence.
(c) They are annoyed at first but when they see his determination to continue, they are impressed.
(d) They laugh at him.

5. After the end of the war, when does Pierre say he will go to St. Petersburg?
(a) He go the day after he visits with Mary and Natasha.
(b) He doesn't go.
(c) He will go in a few days.
(d) He doesn't know if he'll go or not.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is Tolstoy's metaphor of the two fencers about?

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

4. How does Natashsa physically and emotionally react to her mother's grief over Petya?

5. How does Nicholas receive Mary when she comes to visit him, his mother and Sonya?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Tolstoy view the causes of historical events (this is described while the French are in Moscow and the Russians are waiting in Tarútino for a good opportunity to attack)?

3. What change does Pierre notice in the French soldiers guarding him and other prisoners when they are leaving Moscow and how does he regard it?

4. How does the old prince behave toward Mary after his last stroke?

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

6. How does Helene resolve her dilemma over which of her two suitors she should marry?

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

8. What happens with Pierre after the reading of the Tsar's letter asking for money, serfs and equipment?

9. What happens to Nicholas when he and his regiment attack the French at Ostróvna?

10. Why do the French end up abandoning a city that was their emperor's goal in invading Russia?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,386 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample