View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Hofmiller continue exaggerating about the new treatment's promise?
(a) He hopes that he'll benefit financially if he finds a cure for Edith.
(b) He has been diagnosed as a compulsive liar.
(c) He finds the fact that Kekesfalva is hanging on his every word intoxicating.
(d) Dr. Condor asked him to make the treatment sound more promising than it actually is.

2. After asking Hofmiller to talk to Dr. Condor about Edith, why does Kekesfalva want to rush back to the house?
(a) He doesn't want to be late for dinner.
(b) He is afraid Edith will be suspicious about what they'd been talking about.
(c) Edith has not been feeling well and he doesn't want to leave her alone too long.
(d) He is expecting other guests and needs to get back in time to greet them.

3. What is Hofmiller most afraid of when he realizes his blunder in asking Edith to dance?
(a) He is afraid he will be demoted by his commanding officer.
(b) He is afraid people will laugh at his dancing.
(c) He is afraid of what others will think of him when they realize what happened.
(d) He is afraid he won't be invited to future parties.

4. Why does Hofmiller hesitate when Kekesfalva insists that his driver take Hofmiller home on a rainy night?
(a) He is concerned about how arriving in a luxury car will appear to his fellow soldiers.
(b) He thinks Kekesfalva is being too generous.
(c) He doesn't want Kekesfalva to know that he is planning to meet some friends rather than go home that night.
(d) He enjoys walking in the rain.

5. During dinner with Hofmiller and Kekesfalva, what does Dr. Condor initially say about Edith's current condition?
(a) He says her leg strength has deteriorated considerably since his last visit.
(b) He says it's clear that she hasn't been doing her exercises as regularly as she should.
(c) He says her exercises are going well, but that her mental state seems different.
(d) He says she's improved remarkably since his last visit.

6. What did Dietzenhof eventually tell Kekesfalva she wanted to do with her estate?
(a) She said she planned to invite a number of relatives to move in with her.
(b) She said she planned to continue living in the house alone.
(c) She said she wanted to sell the property.
(d) She said she wanted to turn the property into a hotel.

7. What happens when Hofmiller arrives at the castle to thank Kekesfalva for the dinner invitation?
(a) The family is offended and rescinds his dinner invitation.
(b) The family is not at home.
(c) Kekesfalva invites him to stay for tea.
(d) He is turned away because he doesn't have an appointment.

8. How does Kekesfalva plan to repay Hofmiller for talking to Dr. Condor for him?
(a) He plans to pay Hofmiller the equivalent of a week's salary.
(b) He offers Hofmiller his own suite of rooms at the castle.
(c) He says he'll introduce Hofmiller to high-ranking officials.
(d) He says he'll allow Hofmiller to court Edith.

9. How does Hofmiller fill about Edith and Ilona after spending a few evenings in their company?
(a) He admires Kekesfalva, but doesn't like either of the women.
(b) He is in love with Edith.
(c) He cares for them as if they are his sisters.
(d) He is in love with Ilona.

10. According to the introduction, in what way did Zweig's life mirror that of his main character, Hofmiller?
(a) He was also an army officer.
(b) He named the character after his brother.
(c) He married a very young, very naïve secretary.
(d) They shared similar taste in books.

11. According to the book's introduction by Joan Acocella, why was the author, Stefan Zweig, so interested in the inner workings of the human mind?
(a) He was trained as a psychiatrist.
(b) He was a friend of Sigmund Freud.
(c) He read a great deal about psychology.
(d) His father was a psychiatrist.

12. How does Ilona initially react to seeing Hofmiller in the street after he does not appear for dinner as has become his custom?
(a) She is delighted to see him and greets him warmly and affectionately.
(b) She says she's in a hurry and tries to rush away from him.
(c) She asks him to take her out for a drink.
(d) She ignores him and begins to flirt with his friends.

13. Why does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller the details about Kekesfalva's past?
(a) It makes him feel important to have so much private information to share with Hofmiller.
(b) He enjoys gossip and thinks Hofmiller might like it also.
(c) Kekesfalva asked him to fill Hofmiller in on his background.
(d) He wants Hofmiller to understand Kekesfalva better and not believe any gossip he might hear from others.

14. After they are alone following dinner at the castle, what does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller he finds frustrating about Kekesfalva?
(a) He doesn't seem to take an interest in Edith's condition.
(b) He pesters him constantly about Edith, asking the same questions over and over.
(c) When Dr. Condor arrives for appointments, Kekesfalva often isn't there.
(d) He doesn't seem to respect Dr. Condor's medical opinions.

15. How does Hofmiller perceive Edith after their first two meetings?
(a) He thinks she's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen.
(b) He finds her dull and boring.
(c) He is immediately attracted to her and wants to court her.
(d) He sees her as an invalid who needs to be comforted and protected.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Edith find out that Hofmiller had been playing cards rather than inspecting a horse when he failed to show up at the castle?

2. What is Hofmiller's first impression of Dr. Condor?

3. How does Hofmiller feel after learning about Kekesfalva's past?

4. What pretense did Kekesfalva use for coming to the house to talk with Dietzenhof?

5. How does Dr. Condor describe Kekesfalva's background?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,133 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample