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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Hofmiller shows his friends a gift that Kekesfalva gave him. What is the item?
(a) A gold cigarette case.
(b) An expensive first-edition book.
(c) A gold pen.
(d) A silver flask.

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

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

4. How does Hofmiller first learn about Herr Kekesfalva?
(a) They serve in the military together.
(b) Hofmiller meets Kekesfalva at the local apothecary shop.
(c) His friends tell him about the family after seeing his niece in a patisserie.
(d) He reads about Kekesfalva in the newspaper.

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

6. Why does Hofmiller try to keep his two worlds - his life in the military and his relationship with the Kekesfalva family - separate from each other?
(a) He thinks they don't fit together.
(b) He doesn't want his friends to build a relationship with the family and become his rival for their affections.
(c) Kekesfalva asks him to keep the relationship a secret.
(d) He thinks Kekesfalva will think less of him if he realizes that he is a low-ranking officer in the military.

7. Why does Edith keep secret pictures of dancers?
(a) Her father doesn't approve of the pictures, so she keeps them hidden.
(b) She loved dancing before her accident.
(c) She hopes to become an artist.
(d) She sells them to make extra money.

8. 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 she's improved remarkably since his last visit.
(c) He says it's clear that she hasn't been doing her exercises as regularly as she should.
(d) He says her exercises are going well, but that her mental state seems different.

9. How does Hofmiller feel after learning about Kekesfalva's past?
(a) He is anxious to share the information with his friends because it will increase their esteem for him.
(b) He is ashamed that he has never asked Kekesfalva about his background and how he had acquired his wealth.
(c) He is appalled to learn that his friend had been so deceitful as a young man.
(d) He is bored and not very interested in learning more about Kekesfalva.

10. When Kekesfalva apologizes for his daughter's rude behavior, how does he describe Edith when she was a child?
(a) She was handicapped from birth.
(b) He didn't know her as a small child because she was adopted at a later age.
(c) She was energetic and constantly moving, to the point of being reckless.
(d) She was shy and quiet.

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

12. Hofmiller realizes that during all his visits to the castle, he has failed to ask what he considers the most natural of questions. What is the question?
(a) Is Edith's condition permanent or is there hope for a cure?
(b) How did Edith become crippled?
(c) How did Kekesfalva become so wealthy?
(d) Why does Ilona live with Kekesfalva and Edith?

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

14. What does his decision to trot instead of gallop make Hofmiller realize about himself?
(a) He has lost the respect of his men.
(b) He loves Edith and wants to marry her.
(c) He is undergoing a profound change as a result of his pity for Edith.
(d) Edith's condition makes it impossible for him to respect her.

15. How did Kekesfalva initially begin to manipulate Dietzenhof in order to gain control of her inheritance?
(a) He talked about the dangers facing a woman living alone.
(b) He talked about how much trouble it was to own property.
(c) He talked about how much better the weather was in the south of France than in Vienna.
(d) He criticized the home's décor.

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

3. When Hofmiller is training with his men the morning following his tea with Edith, why does he order them to stop galloping and trot their horses?

4. When telling him about the potential treatment for Edith, what does Hofmiller finally end up promising Kekesfalva?

5. What initially interested Kekesfalva about the estate Dietzenhof had inherited?

(see the answer keys)

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