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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Count Rostopchin?

2. How does Pierre react to his situation during the march out of Moscow when they stop on the first night?

3. What happens when Platon makes a shirt for a French officer and presents it to him?

4. Natasha receives a letter. What does it say and who is it from?

5. How does Kutuzov's staff explain their plan to cut off the French on the road to Smolensk to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Pierre go after Borodino and how has he reacted to the battle?

2. Why does Nicholas feel he cannot marry Mary?

3. Why does Andrew request a post in Turkey?

4. What happens between the Tsar and Kutuzov at Vilna after the last battle the Russians have with the French?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is Tolstoy's view of Count Rostopchin's actions in Moscow immediately preceding the arrival of the French?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Platon Karateev is a very simple man whose outlook on life deeply affects Pierre. Why is Pierre so drawn to him and what does he do and say that change Pierre's views and lead Pierre to a happier perspective on life?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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