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. How does Nicholas handle his family's financial problems?

2. Why does Nicholas need to whisper to his wolf hound?

3. Pierre goes to visit Prince Andrew at Bogucharovo. How does Andrew appear to him?

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

5. Who joins Nicholas for the wolf hunt?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When Nicholas goes to Olmutz to see Boris why does he get into an argument with Prince Andrew?

4. How is Andrew like his father?

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

6. What does Andrew think about after he is wounded?

7. What happens between Bazdeev and Pierre at the post station?

8. 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.

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

10. Why is Anna Mikhaylovna so eager to help Pierre?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tolstoy was involved in the Crimean War and wrote about his experiences in Sevastapol Sketches. What do you think his view on war is based on War and Peace? Is there a character or characters who act as his mouthpiece? Who are they and how do they express his view? Be sure to reference particulars.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Andrew's first visit with the Rostovs. What is the thing that symbolizes him and what happens to him during the visit and how does it relate to him? Describe the alteration from the beginning of the trip to the end and how the analogy with the object illustrates this.

Essay Topic 3

Examine Dolokhov's character. Is he a villain or heroic? Why/why not? Use examples through out the story to defend your point.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,024 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample