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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 Hippolyte talk about at Anna Pavlovna's soiree?

2. After the affair of the stolen money, why is Nicholas ordered to apologize to his regiment?

3. When Murat sees the Russian forces gathering he thinks it is the entire Army. What does he do upon seeing this?

4. Andrew has been taken prisoner by the French. What do they do with him?

5. There is a lot of confusion on the bridge as the Russians try to cross it. What is their rush?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes Nicholas decide to go home on leave just after Natasha's engagement?

2. Why does Nicholas feel troubled on seeing the Tsar with Napoleon?

3. Why does Kutuzov not push his troops into combat?

4. What goes through Andrew's mind during the New Years Eve ball?

5. What does Nicholas do that gets him in trouble with his superior officers?

6. Why is Pierre so unconcerned for his future?

7. How has Prince Andrew changed by being involved in the war instead of St. Petersburg society? Why did this change occur?

8. When Nicholas goes to Olmutz to see Boris why does he get into an argument with Prince Andrew?

9. Why do the three princesses living at Count Bezukhov's treat Pierre so badly?

10. Prince Vasili is described in the beginning at Anna Pavlovna's soiree. What is Prince Vasili's most notable characteristic at this point in the story.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Andrew is reckless of his personal safety, or does he have delusions of grandeur? What motivates him at Borodino? Prince Andrew reflects a great deal on the nature of war and any role he might have in it. Explore his views about it and if they indicate that he is one or the other. Explore what leads up to Borodino and what follows in defending your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Tolstoy frequently repeats descriptions of people and of their appearance and mannerisms. What is the effect of this on the reader? Is it important and if so why? Please use examples.

Essay Topic 3

Sonya and Mary: Nicholas is drawn to them both. Why? Explore the differences between the two, how they change through the book and how Nicholas' viewpoint changes and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,140 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample