View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Hofmiller upset and angry when he is told that the family has delayed its trip to the sanitarium for a few days?
(a) There is now no end in sight to his uncomfortable situation with Edith.
(b) He had been looking forward to accompanying the family on the trip because it would be a vacation for him.
(c) A delay in the trip means it will be that much longer before Edith is finally cured and able to walk.
(d) He's afraid winter weather will have arrived by the time they leave.

2. Once he is aware of her love for him, what is Edith afraid Hofmiller will do?
(a) Leave his regiment to avoid seeing her.
(b) Tell all his friends that she declared her love for him.
(c) Run away with Ilona.
(d) Ignore her.

3. Why does Hofmiller think it might benefit Edith to continue believing the lie about the new cure?
(a) He thinks she is more likely to fall in love with him if she believes she'll be cured.
(b) He thinks her optimism might give her the strength to improve her condition.
(c) He thinks people will be nicer to her if they believe she'll get better soon.
(d) He thinks it will stop her bursts of anger and rudeness.

4. What is Balinkay's relationship with Hofmiller's regiment?
(a) He used to be a member but left.
(b) He is the commanding officer of the regiment.
(c) He has applied for a transfer from another regiment but has not been accepted yet.
(d) He is currently a member.

5. Why is Dr. Condor's wife upset with his patients?
(a) She thinks they take advantage of him and are ungrateful.
(b) She thinks many are not as sick as they claim to be.
(c) They show up late for appointments.
(d) They don't pay their bills on time.

Short Answer Questions

1. Seeing Edith's happiness, to whom does Hofmiller compare himself?

2. What surprises Hofmiller about Dr. Condor's home?

3. What does Hofmiller think Edith should be focusing on?

4. What is the mood at the castle when Hofmiller arrives the morning after telling Kekesfalva about the new cure ?

5. At the beginning of the section beginning on page 223, Ferencz comes to take Hofmiller to what event?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Edith's suggested solution when Hofmiller convinces her that he cannot afford the trip to the sanitarium?

2. How does Hofmiller react when Edith angrily asks why he bothers coming to see her and her family?

3. Why does Hofmiller initially refuse Kekesfalva's request that he marry Edith in return for Kekesfalva giving him his entire fortune?

4. What prompts Hofmiller to turn away from the idea of leaving the military and taking a job with Balinkay?

5. What happens at the end of the book to make Hofmiller realize he'll never be free of his guilt?

6. Why does Hofmiller not admit that he has exaggerated the potential for the new treatment to cure Edith?

7. How does an unforeseen and unrelated political event lead to Edith's suicide?

8. How do Dr. Condor and Hofmiller decide to handle the situation regarding Hofmiller's lies about the new treatment?

9. Why does Hofmiller think it's his fault that Edith has fallen in love with him?

10. When Hofmiller goes to the castle the day after telling Kekesfalva about the potential cure for Edith, what does he discover Kekesfalva has done to complicate the situation further?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,168 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample