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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. What does Tchitchikov accuse Selifan of in Part 1, Chapter 3?

2. Who is Nozdroyov with when he meets with Tchitchikov?

3. What talent of the governor's impresses Tchitchikov?

4. What does Tchitchikov order for dinner in Part 1: Chapter 4?

5. What happens to Plyushkin's son?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tchitchikov make himself feel better about not going after the young girl he meets?

2. Why does Petrushka smell bad?

3. What does Tchitchikov ask the servant at the hotel?

4. Why do the people of N. take such an interest in Tchitchikov?

5. How do the people at the police captain's house treat Tchitchikov at the end of Part 1, Chapter 7?

6. Why does Plyushkin sell his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

7. Why does Manilov decide to sell his dead souls to Tchitchikov?

8. Why does Madame Korobotcha sell her souls to Tchitchikov?

9. How does Tchitchikov spend his first day in N?

10. Why is everyone in town talking about Tchitchikov at the beginning of Part 1, Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the character Madame Korobotcha. What role does she play in the story? What is interesting about the way Tchitchikov treats her? How does Madame Korobotcha's role in the story help the reader to get a better idea about the motives and true nature of Tchitchikov?

Essay Topic 2

Why is it significant that the narrator waits until the end of Part 1 to reveal the true nature of Tchitchikov? How does he try to make the reader feel sorry for Tchitchikov? Is he successful? Why do you think the narrator is so intent on making Tchitchikov out to be a hero when he has done so many horrible things?

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about the houses of the people that Tchitchikov visits? Why do you think the author gives such vivid descriptions of the houses and their furnishings? How do the homes reflect their owners? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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