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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. Why does Boris speed up his courting of Julie Karagina?

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

3. What torments Natasha when she thinks about Andrew after his death?

4. Boris is at a ball dancing with Helene at Vilna. Who arrives to speak with the tsar?

5. Seven years after the war with France, how is Alexander regarded?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Napoleon say to Rapp about colds and medicine before the battle of Borodino?

4. What does Tolstoy say changes in the nature of war when the French move from Smolensk to Moscow?

5. In what state is Andrew when Natasha finds him traveling with her family out of Moscow, and what is his reaction to seeing her?

6. How do Mary and Natasha overcome their grief?

7. Why does Andrew request a post in Turkey?

8. Why is Davout so rude to Balashev when he goes to meet with Napoleon?

9. How does Pierre and Andrew's meeting before the battle of Borodino go?

10. 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)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Count Rostov is a very likable character throughout the book but like all the main characters, he undergoes change. What are the flaws in him that lead to how he is in the end and what brings about his change?

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

Natasha goes pretty quickly from grieving for Andrew to falling in love with Pierre. What does this say about her character? Be specific.

(see the answer keys)

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