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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What title does Karl's uncle Jakob hold?
(a) He is a state senator.
(b) He is a baron.
(c) He is a United States Congressman.
(d) He is an earl.

2. How did Jakob find out about why Karl was sent to the United States?
(a) Johanna Brummer wrote to him.
(b) Karl's father wrote to him.
(c) One of Karl's neighbors wrote to him.
(d) Karl's mother wrote to him.

3. What does the civilian man with the bamboo stick keep looking at and then looking at Karl?
(a) A notebook.
(b) A photograph.
(c) The captain's sword.
(d) The window.

4. Before Karl will enter the stoker's room, what information does he ask the stoker for?
(a) His nationality.
(b) His religion.
(c) His name.
(d) His occupation.

5. When Karl imagines that his visit to the Pollunders might become "the turning point in his relationship with his uncle," what techniques are being used (57)?
(a) Foreshadowing and irony.
(b) Juxtaposition and paradox.
(c) Paradox and foreshadowing.
(d) Irony and juxtaposition.

6. What has the servant woman named the child that she alleges Karl fathered?
(a) Lisel.
(b) Johanna.
(c) Karl.
(d) Jakob.

7. In the office, to whom does Karl show his passport?
(a) The American port authorities.
(b) The attendant.
(c) The chief bursar.
(d) The captain.

8. Why does Pollunder drive down mostly side streets once they reach the suburbs?
(a) The police have set up checkpoints on the main road.
(b) He is looking for an address.
(c) He wants Karl to see more of the area.
(d) The main road is blocked by striking workers.

9. Although Karl thinks that Jakob indulges him generously, what does the narrative imply is true about Jakob's behavior toward Karl?
(a) Jakob intends to make Karl a partner in his buisness.
(b) Jakob is needlessly distant and controlling toward Karl.
(c) Jakob is using Karl to heal the rift between himself and Karl's mother.
(d) Jakob is stern with Karl because he sees Karl's potential.

10. What does Karl first notice about Klara when he sees her in the light?
(a) How large the pupils of her eyes are.
(b) The bruise on her cheek.
(c) The redness of her lips.
(d) The lace at the throat of her dress.

11. What question does the man with the bamboo stick ask Karl?
(a) Whether he has lost a trunk.
(b) Why he is in America.
(c) Whether he is German.
(d) What his name is.

12. What does Jakob ask Karl if he has cancelled in preparation for his visit to Pollunder's?
(a) His etiquette lesson.
(b) His music lesson.
(c) His riding lesson.
(d) His English lesson.

13. What does Karl feel he is being treated like during dinner at the Pollunder house?
(a) A child.
(b) An accomplice.
(c) A servant.
(d) An intruder.

14. What argument does Pollunder give to persuade Jakob to let Karl come for a visit?
(a) Karl will have an opportunity to practice his English.
(b) His cook has already prepared dinner for a guest.
(c) His daughter is looking forward to the visit.
(d) Karl will have a chance to learn more about the business.

15. According to the stoker, when is it most likely that a person would become a stoker?
(a) When the person has been sent away from home all by themselves.
(b) When the person is down on their luck and has run out of options.
(c) When the person has not really made up their mind about taking the job yet.
(d) When the person accidentally meets someone who is already a stoker.

Short Answer Questions

1. What makes Karl feel better about the early hour at which he has to get up for his riding lessons?

2. How does Karl feel when he realizes that the stoker could probably physically overpower everyone in the office?

3. What do Karl and Klara get into a fight about after dinner?

4. Which word best characterizes the stoker's explanation to the captain of his grievances against Schubal?

5. What kind of business does Jakob own?

(see the answer keys)

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