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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. Where was Ludvik summoned the day after he returned to his post at University in his third year?

2. What did Zemanek say to Helena in the heat of an argument when their daughter was five?

3. Ludvik decides to leave his hotel shortly after arriving for the first time. What does he want to do?

4. How does Ludvik find Kostka's flat?

5. How does Zdena feel about Zemanek?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Ludvik received by the dark Slovak NCO who got a first at marksmanship?

2. How does Ludvik describe Kostka?

3. What is the relationship between Kostka and Ludvik like?

4. What was Helena's first meeting with Ludvik like, according to Helena?

5. How does Ludvik find out the identity of the woman who shaved him?

6. How does Helena feel about younger women?

7. How did Marketa react to the postcard Ludvik sent?

8. How does Ludvik take the first part of his shave?

9. What is Helena's credo?

10. How does Helena feel about the Party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Outline Kostka's belief system and the major fallacies reflected in the life he leads.

Essay Topic 2

What is the joke, following the title of this book? Are there more than one? Compare and contrast.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Ludvik seduce Helena and what goes wrong with his plan?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 674 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample