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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Hofmiller feel about the book he is reading?
(a) It causes him to consider writing a book about his own life.
(b) He sees similarities to his own situation.
(c) It gives him nightmares.
(d) He wants to turn it into a play.

2. Why does Hofmiller initially believe he'll never have to marry Edith?
(a) He plans to transfer to another regiment without telling the family.
(b) He thinks Kekesfalva is angry with him and won't allow Edith to marry him.
(c) He thinks she'll never recover physically and he'll be released from his promise.
(d) He thinks she'll turn him down if he proposes.

3. What two reasons does Hofmiller give for his inability to join the family on the trip to the sanitarium?
(a) He must attend to his duties and his parents are planning a visit.
(b) He doesn't have a passport and he can't afford it.
(c) He must attend to his duties and he can't afford it.
(d) He can't afford it and he has made other social commitments for that time.

4. How does Edith feel after Hofmiller tells her about his financial condition?
(a) She doesn't believe he's telling the truth.
(b) She is embarrassed because he buys her such nice flowers.
(c) She is sympathetic and offers him money.
(d) She is angry that he hasn't told her this before.

5. Why does Ilona say she has encouraged Edith's feelings for Hofmiller?
(a) She thought he was secretly in love with her also.
(b) She thought he'd grow to love her eventually.
(c) She thought it would be amusing to see what happened.
(d) She did not want to crush Edith's hopes.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Edith so excited when Hofmiller arrives at the house the morning after his dinner with Dr. Condor?

2. Dr. Condor says he realizes that Hofmiller lied about the treatment out of what emotion?

3. Following the revelation of her love for him, what does Edith initially ask Hofmiller to do?

4. How is Edith treated by the villagers during their stop there?

5. What is the mood at the castle when Hofmiller arrives the morning after telling Kekesfalva about the new cure ?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hofmiller see suicide as the only solution to his problems?

2. How might Hofmiller have resolved his situation during his visit to the castle, after seeing the family's excitement about the potential new treatment?

3. How does Dr. Condor come to the conclusion that Hofmiller is planning to flee rather than facing up to his situation with Edith and her family?

4. Why is Hofmiller surprised by the loving relationship between Dr. Condor and his wife?

5. Why does Hofmiller initially refuse Kekesfalva's request that he marry Edith in return for Kekesfalva giving him his entire fortune?

6. When Hofmiller goes to the castle the day after telling Kekesfalva about the potential cure for Edith, what does he discover Kekesfalva has done to complicate the situation further?

7. What happens at the end of the book to make Hofmiller realize he'll never be free of his guilt?

8. How does an unforeseen and unrelated political event lead to Edith's suicide?

9. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller about the nature of pity?

10. What event occurs to put a damper on Hofmiller's happiness when he returns to his barracks after the trip to the horse farm?

(see the answer keys)

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