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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) Dr. Condor asked him to make the treatment sound more promising than it actually is.
(d) He finds the fact that Kekesfalva is hanging on his every word intoxicating.

2. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller about incurable illnesses?
(a) He says Edith's condition is undoubtedly incurable.
(b) He says a cure will be found for Edith's condition within five years.
(c) He says that once a disease has been deemed incurable, there is no hope left.
(d) He says there is always hope because new cures are found routinely.

3. 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 expecting other guests and needs to get back in time to greet them.
(c) He is afraid Edith will be suspicious about what they'd been talking about.
(d) Edith has not been feeling well and he doesn't want to leave her alone too long.

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

5. What is Hofmiller's first impression of Dr. Condor?
(a) He's amused because the doctor bears a striking resemblance to his commanding officer.
(b) He's more impressed than he anticipated being.
(c) He's disappointed because the doctor looks and behaves nothing like what he'd pictured.
(d) He's intimidated by the doctor's tall, imposing presence.

6. Why is Hofmiller so confused by the range of emotions Edith and her family brings forth in him?
(a) Before, he had simply lived for the present day and not been profoundly moved by anything or anyone.
(b) His psychiatrist can find no explanation for the sudden changes in him.
(c) He is getting conflicting advice from his friends.
(d) Edith is the first girl he's fallen in love with.

7. 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 seems embarrassed and tries to avoid her.
(b) He is excited about the opportunity to introduce her to his friends.
(c) He is upset that she has apparently left Edith alone.
(d) He is thrilled to see her on his own turf and asks her to go for a walk or to the patisserie.

8. In his own introduction to the book, where does Zweig say the story came from?
(a) It is a true story told to him by the main character.
(b) It is a true story based on his own life.
(c) He based it on a parable his parents told him as a child.
(d) It is a translation of an earlier book by a Japanese author.

9. What pretense did Kekesfalva use for coming to the house to talk with Dietzenhof?
(a) He posed as an insurance agent.
(b) He pretended to be a gardener.
(c) He pretended to be a real estate agent.
(d) He posed as an attorney.

10. 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 angry and demands to know what they've been discussing.
(b) She seems to suspect that they've been talking about her, and she's quiet and moody for the rest of the evening.
(c) She is excited that Hofmiller is going to ask Dr. Condor about her prospects for improvement.
(d) She is cheerful and happy that Hofmiller has come for dinner.

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

12. How does Edith react when Hofmiller asks her to dance?
(a) She is delighted by the attention being paid to her.
(b) She gives him a shy smile and turns away.
(c) She ignores him.
(d) She is horrified and begins to sob.

13. Why does Edith not dance with Hofmiller?
(a) She is disabled and can't use her legs.
(b) She is too shy.
(c) Her boyfriend doesn't want her to dance with another man.
(d) Her father doesn't allow her to dance.

14. 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?
(a) Hofmiller admits it to her.
(b) She sends her chauffeur to find out where he is.
(c) She asks his commanding officer and he tells her the truth.
(d) Her father calls his barracks and someone tells him where Hofmiller is.

15. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller is his chief concern about the Kekesfalva family?
(a) He is concerned that Edith spends too much time alone.
(b) He thinks Edith is getting worse and soon will be confined to a wheelchair.
(c) He is worried about Kekesfalva's deteriorating health.
(d) He thinks Ilona isn't a good influence on Edith.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the introduction, Zweig says his depiction of Kekesfalva's early life and the discrimination he felt is based on what?

2. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller about the contraptions and treatments he has been providing for Edith?

3. How did Kekesfalva change after getting married?

4. What does Hofmiller do after Ilona explains the reason Edith became so upset at the dinner party?

5. How much was Dietzenhof's estate actually worth?

(see the answer keys)

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