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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. Why is Christina Dmitrievna in charge of meeting the doctor?

2. What is most important to Lida Volchaninova?

3. Why do the women in town get excited about Belikov's life?

4. Whom does Marya bring with her to visit Bishop Pyotr?

5. What is the banging that Korolev keeps hearing?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Bishop", what is Bishops Pyotr's relationship with his mother Marya like when she visits him after nine years?

2. From "The Darling", describe Olga's personality type.

3. In "On Official Business", what is the difference between the coroner and the doctor in the way they view life?

4. How does the figurative language that describes Aksinya at the wedding reception show her true character?

5. How does Olga become committed to Sasha?

6. In "On Official Business", why does the coroner believe the city is the center of Russia? What does he think of the village and countryside?

7. In "The Lady with the Little Dog", how does Dmitri Dmitrich Gurov view women?

8. According to Ivan Ivanych, what is the balance of sadness and happiness in the world?

9. How does Katya show how she feels about Pyotr's status as a bishop?

10. Describe what life is like in the countryside where there is a factory?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nevyrazimov (Small Fry) and Vanka (Vanka) are just two examples of how the lack of education can stop a person's wishes. The wishes may be moving up in the world or lateral in position but better in conditions. Write an essay on how and why the poor stay poor? Why is it so difficult for the poor to get out of current situations? Is it a lack of hard work? Is it a lack of opportunities? Is it a lack of motivation?

Essay Topic 2

From "A Boring Story", Stepanych begins to realize that he is aging and changing, but he holds hope. What is Stepanych in hopes of and why?

Essay Topic 3

What form of mentality does the Explainer in "In Exile" take in order to help him survive a life in Siberia? What psyche does he have to maintain sanity in a bare, cold place such as Siberia?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,423 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample