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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. Who were many of Tomas's private customers?

2. In Part 5, Chapter 23, Tomas has a dream of a woman he'd never met before, who was...

3. In Part 5, chapter 19, what did the editor say to Tomas when he approached him?

4. What was the only reason Simon became involved with the editor?

5. At the end of the novel, Tereza feels that if she really had loved Tomas with a great love, she would have...

Short Essay Questions

1. Is it Tereza's fault that Tomas had to leave his profession and ended up a truck driver in the country?

2. Prior to suggesting they move there, what experience has Tereza had with country life?

3. Why does Tomas resign from the clinic?

4. Describe Tomas's experience as a window washer.

5. Once she's in his home, how does Tereza behave that announces she does not condone what is happening (the lovemaking) between her and the engineer?

6. In the end, Tereza knows she has reached her goals. What are her goals?

7. In Part 5, Chapter 10, what distinguishes the women who looks like a giraffe and a stork from others?

8. Does Tomas make a mistake by returning to Prague from Zurich?

9. Why does Franz change his mind and decide to go to Cambodia?

10. How do people react as Tomas tries to decide whether or not to retract his article?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If you were living in Prague during the invasion, would you have fled the country? Where would you have gone? Would you have stayed for the love of your country and fellowmen knowing you may lose your job?

Essay Topic 2

Milan Kundera writes that Franz and Simon are the dreamers of this novel.

1. Compare and contrast the characters of Franz and Simon. How are they the same? How are they different?

2. What purpose does Franza and Simon serve in the novel? Use 3 events from the book where Franz and Simon's characters have an influence on the theme, and the characters, of the book.

3. Who is the bigger dreamer, Franz or Simon? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

Essay Topic 3

Tomas and Tereza's love is based on her fidelity.

1. Did Tereza's infidelity help her achieve her goal of having Tomas all to herself? What would have happened had Tereza not had an affair? Did her infidelity cure her from jealousy?

2. Tereza does not believe that Tomas would throw her out if he learns of her affair. What then would Tomas have done? How would him knowing have changed the nature of their relationship?

3. Had Tereza not given up her life to Tomas, making him certain of her fidelity, would he have fallen in love with her and married her? What does your answer say about his character?

(see the answer keys)

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