View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Kutuzov request Andrew to work with him?

2. Princess Mary has her hair done in a different style for the guests. How does her father react to her?

3. Dolokhov has been demoted and his superior officers have taken note of his outspokenness. How does the Schon Grabern battle go for him?

4. What is Prince Vasili hoping to achieve by helping Pierre with his duties?

5. Andrew has been taken prisoner by the French. What do they do with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pierre's steward think when Pierre goes to his estates and recommends reforms?

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

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

4. How do Andrew and his family react to Pierre's surprise visit to Bogucharovo?

5. Why is Pierre so unconcerned for his future?

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

7. How is Andrew like his father?

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

9. What strange aspect do readers see in Dolokhov in the chapters following the duel?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Tolstoy's use of minor characters as foils. How is their presence important? List some. What do they illuminate in the more important characters? How do we know they are foils? Are they catalysts in the change or do they merely act to illustrate the change? To write this essay, choose one of the three main characters and those involved mostly with that character and discuss this.

Essay Topic 2

In some dramatizations, the story of Nicholas, Sonya and Mary is greatly diminished or eliminated. Is their story important to the whole and if so why?

Essay Topic 3

Tolstoy uses many literary devices. Choose one from the following list and explore how he uses it throughout the story. Be sure to reference to defend your argument.

Foreshadowing, epiphany, juxtaposition, repetition of words, coincidence, conflict.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,096 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample