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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. In Chapter 6, what country is the department head's replacement from?

2. Why does Pnin not use the detailed directions that were given to him to get to the cabin?

3. In Chapter 6, what do pranksters vandalize in the humanities building?

4. In Chapter 6, how is Pnin feeling about his lack of students this semester?

5. In Chapter 4, who has Liza left Dr. Wind for and is preparing to marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the cabin located that Pnin is headed to at beginning of Chapter 5, and why is he going there?

2. Who are a few of the people who are attending the party in Chapter 5 with whom Pnin is acquainted?

3. Describe the character of Victor.

4. Who is the host of the party at the cabin in Chapter 5?

5. What is Pnin worried that he might have broken at the end of Chapter 6?

6. Why is Pnin somewhat sad after visiting with Betty Bliss?

7. Who runs St. Bartholomew's? Describe in detail.

8. What do Roza Shpolyanski and Pnin talk about at the party in Chapter 5?

9. Who is the artist that Pnin meets while going for a swim in the lake, and what does Pnin wish after meeting him?

10. Who are some of the people that Pnin invites to his housewarming party in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a lot of emphasis in the novel "Pnin" about what is normal. Explore the theme of normalcy throughout the novel. Is Victor normal even though he is not like other children his age? Is Pnin considered normal even though he has some odd quirks? Who or what determines what is normal?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character of Victor, and examine how he affects Pnin's life.

Part 1) What kind of person is Victor? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Part 2) How has Victor affected Pnin?

Part 3) What kind of relationship do Pnin and Victor have?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the Clementses and their relationship with Pnin, comparing their first impressions of Pnin to how they end up feeling about Pnin. What kind of people are the Clementses? How does Pnin know them? What do Pnin and Joan bond over? What are some examples from the book that demonstrate the Clementses beginning to like Pnin?

(see the answer keys)

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