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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 the narrator note is unusual about Tchitchikov's hotel room?

2. What is the name of Plyushkin's eldest daughter?

3. What do Tchitchikov and Selifan hear while traveling in the rain that makes them realize they have reached a village?

4. Where does the president invite Tchitchikov and Manilov?

5. What does Tchitchikov notice about the peasant houses leading up to Sobakevitch's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tchitchikov see as he approaches Sobakevitch's house?

2. Describe Plyushkin's estate.

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

4. What does Sobakevitch say about Plyushkin?

5. Why does Tchitchikov think Nozdroyov would be a good person to buy dead souls from?

6. What happens when Tchitchikov asks the clerk to complete his sales?

7. How do the women at the ball feel about Tchitchikov's interest in the general's daughter?

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

9. Why is Plyushkin so miserable?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explore the character of Andrey. Why do you think so much description is given about him when he does not even appear again in the story? How does Gogol use him to make fun of Russian noblemen?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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