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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Dr. Condor describe Kekesfalva's background?
(a) He grew up in a German orphanage.
(b) He grew up as a poor Jew named Leopold Kanitz.
(c) He was born into a family with royal connections.
(d) He was the only child of wealthy parents.

2. After Kekesfalva speaks privately to Hofmiller about talking to Dr. Condor, what is Edith's mood when the two men return to the house?
(a) She is excited that Hofmiller is going to ask Dr. Condor about her prospects for improvement.
(b) She is angry and demands to know what they've been discussing.
(c) She is cheerful and happy that Hofmiller has come for dinner.
(d) She seems to suspect that they've been talking about her, and she's quiet and moody for the rest of the evening.

3. What aspect of Hofmiller's background makes him especially grateful for the warm welcome he continues to receive at the Kekesfalva's home?
(a) He has been brought up in a wealthy home, so he feels comfortable and at ease with the family's wealth.
(b) He has been raised in an orphanage, so he begins to think of Kekesfalva as a father figure.
(c) His parents are servants of a wealthy family, so he likes turning the tables by having servants wait on him.
(d) He has been brought up in military institutions, so he loves the homey feeling of their house and family.

4. How does Edith react when she receives Hofmiller's flowers?
(a) She invites him to tea.
(b) She returns the flowers with an angry note.
(c) She phones him to say thanks.
(d) She asks her father to invite him for dinner.

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

6. Why does Kekesfalva like Dr. Condor so much?
(a) Dr. Condor shows him more respect than Edith's other doctors do.
(b) They grew up together and have been lifelong friends.
(c) He is the only doctor who has remained optimistic about Edith's chances for improving her condition.
(d) Dr. Condor went to the best schools.

7. At what point is Hofmiller comfortable giving his men the orders to resume galloping?
(a) When his commanding officer orders him to do so.
(b) When they are no longer in view of Edith's home and there is no danger of her seeing them.
(c) When his men begin to question his decision.
(d) When he sees another group of soldiers ahead and wants to catch up with them.

8. How did Kekesfalva acquire the first part of his fortune?
(a) He moved to India and worked in the coffee industry.
(b) His father died and left him a very large inheritance.
(c) He became an insurance agent, then began providing essentially any kind of service people needed or wanted.
(d) He won the European lottery.

9. Why do Hofmiller and Kekesfalva end their conversation about the potential new cure for Edith?
(a) Hofmiller gets an urgent message from his commanding officer.
(b) Kekesfalva gets a message that Edith has become ill.
(c) Hofmiller's friends arrive to take him out for a drink.
(d) Kekesfalva leaves because it begins to rain.

10. When does Hofmiller find Edith most attractive?
(a) When she talks about horses.
(b) When she is happy.
(c) When she flirts with other men.
(d) When she flirts with him.

11. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller about the contraptions and treatments he has been providing for Edith?
(a) He says they have not helped yet, but he is confident that they will lead to a cure eventually.
(b) He says they have not been helpful, but he continues using them because they give the family hope.
(c) He says they are helping Edith make steady progress.
(d) He confesses that their main purpose is to enable him to continue billing Kekesfalva large sums of money.

12. 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 says he'll allow Hofmiller to court Edith.
(c) He says he'll introduce Hofmiller to high-ranking officials.
(d) He offers Hofmiller his own suite of rooms at the castle.

13. When telling him about the potential treatment for Edith, what does Hofmiller finally end up promising Kekesfalva?
(a) He promises that he'll take care of Edith if Kekesfalva dies.
(b) He promises that he'll accompany Edith to France so she can get the new treatment.
(c) He promises that Edith will get well very soon.
(d) He promises that he'll marry Edith.

14. In the introduction, Zweig says his depiction of Kekesfalva's early life and the discrimination he felt is based on what?
(a) It is based on the experience of Eastern Jews.
(b) It is based on the experiences of characters in his favorite novels.
(c) It is based on his own experience.
(d) It is based on his parents' experience.

15. How does Hofmiller react when he sees Ilona in the street after taking a night away from the family to play cards with his friends?
(a) He is upset that she has apparently left Edith alone.
(b) He seems embarrassed and tries to avoid her.
(c) He is excited about the opportunity to introduce her to his friends.
(d) He is thrilled to see her on his own turf and asks her to go for a walk or to the patisserie.

Short Answer Questions

1. The morning following the sale of the property, what surprising move did Kekesfalva make when he went to Dietzenhof's hotel?

2. When talking about Edith's condition over dinner at the castle, what question does Dr. Condor ask that causes Kekesfalva to become upset and defensive?

3. 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?

4. During dinner with Hofmiller and Kekesfalva, what does Dr. Condor initially say about Edith's current condition?

5. After angrily confronting Hofmiller about lying to her, what does Edith tell him about continuing to visit the family?

(see the answer keys)

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