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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following does not happen to the I.P.H.?
(a) It becomes more Buddhist.
(b) It becomes a place where fake seances are held.
(c) It is turned into a church.
(d) It becomes frequented by Freudians.

2. What is the assassin's real name?
(a) Jacques de Gray.
(b) Jack Degree.
(c) Jake Ravus.
(d) Jakob Gradus.

3. Charles Kinbote thinks John Shade enjoyed more "creative freedom" during the composition of which Canto?
(a) Canto Two.
(b) Canto Four.
(c) Canto Three.
(d) Canto One.

4. "Forty ounces of fine sand" describes what in Canto One?
(a) The texture of a windowpane.
(b) A length of time.
(c) A bird's nest.
(d) Snow falling from the sky.

5. Charles Kinbote wants the reader to see the image of who/what after reading the lines 131-132, "I was the waxing slain by feigned remoteness in the windowpane?"
(a) John Shade's blackouts.
(b) Himself.
(c) Gradus.
(d) Sybil Shade.

6. Charles Kinbote "mercifully " attributes this name to one professor, perhaps due to his green jacket.
(a) Dr. Nattochdag.
(b) Jim Coates.
(c) Green Velvet.
(d) Gerald Emerald.

7. On what day did John Shade begin composing his poem "Pale Fire?"
(a) July 5th.
(b) July 4th.
(c) July 1st.
(d) We are not told explicitly, only that it is during the summer.

8. The phrase "pale fire" is used in the foreword to describe what?
(a) Index cards burning in an incinerator.
(b) The snow in New Wye.
(c) A squirrel.
(d) The reflection of sunlight off the moon.

9. After King Charles is out of the mountains, he receives a message to go to which of the following locations?
(a) New Wye.
(b) The Rippleton Caves.
(c) The Bera Range.
(d) Cedarn.

10. What book does King Charles find on his way out of the castle?
(a) A book of John Shade's poetry.
(b) Romeo and Juliet.
(c) The Bible.
(d) Timon of Athens.

11. Of the following, which has been added to Shade's childhood home?
(a) A garage.
(b) A TV antenna.
(c) Electricity.
(d) A chimney.

12. John Shade comes to the realization that he can not find what at the I.P.H.?
(a) Truth about bird watching.
(b) Truth about the sordid history of Zembla.
(c) Truth about Shakespeare's sonnets.
(d) Truth about the after-life.

13. How old was Shade when he wrote Canto Two?
(a) 40.
(b) 80.
(c) 61.
(d) We are never told exactly, only that he is "a youth".

14. Who makes sexual advances on King Charles during the commentary to line 149?
(a) Odon.
(b) Oleg.
(c) Garh.
(d) Fleur.

15. Which of the following best describes a recurring theme in the first Canto?
(a) Change.
(b) Abandonment.
(c) Reflection.
(d) Color.

Short Answer Questions

1. Charles Kinbote gave John Shade a detailed drawing of King Charles' castle; what does he want John Shade's wife to do with the picture?

2. Where was the foreword written?

3. What does Kinbote want us to believe was the catalyst for John Shade's choice to set "Pale Fire" during the winter months?

4. "Pale Fire" is broken up into how many cantos?

5. How do the extremists think King Charles will try to escape Zembla?

(see the answer keys)

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