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

2. What happens to Kutuzov after he sees the Tsar at Vilna?

3. Who is Count Rostopchin?

4. Who does Nicholas meet with his squadron when seeking shelter at an inn from the rain?

5. Why does Tolstoy think Napoleon started the war with Russia?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. How does Princess Mary react to Nicholas when he enters Andrew's home at Bogucharovo and how does he react to her?

8. Berg goes to the Rostov's as they are packing up to leave Moscow. Why does he go there?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Tolstoy frequently repeats descriptions of people and of their appearance and mannerisms. What is the effect of this on the reader? Is it important and if so why? Please use examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,250 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample