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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the main character, Hofmiller, say his story began?

2. What does Dr. Condor tell Hofmiller is his chief concern about the Kekesfalva family?

3. From whom did Kekesfalva learn to read and write?

4. Why does Hofmiller hesitate when Kekesfalva insists that his driver take Hofmiller home on a rainy night?

5. What does Hofmiller say is the most startling thing that happens to him the night of his conversation with Dr. Condor?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hofmiller realize that the pity he feels for Edith is already beginning to poison him?

2. What does Hofmiller mean when he says that everything that happens in the book began with a blunder?

3. Describe Dr. Condor's feelings about the nature of so-called incurable illnesses.

4. How did Kekesfalva change after marrying Dietzenhof?

5. Why does Kekesfalva become upset with Dr. Condor during their discussion of Edith's condition?

6. Although Edith often seems to behave childishly with regard to her disability, how does her talk with Hofmiller about his failure to appear for dinner show her maturity?

7. What is Hofmiller's real motivation in accepting Edith's invitation to tea?

8. Why do you think Edith flies into a rage when Josef, the butler, comes to take her for her exercises?

9. How does Hofmiller's upbringing lead him to respond when he receives a dinner invitation from Kekesfalva?

10. Although Hofmiller finds himself enjoying his new sense of power and the comfort of being with with the Kekesfalva family, what keeps him from enjoying those feelings completely?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How and why does Hofmiller try to keep his friendship with the Kekesfalva family separate from his life with his friends and fellow soldiers? How does it affect what transpires in his relationship with the family? Cite and discuss at least one specific example from the first half of the book and one from the second half.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, the reader learns that appearances can be deceiving and things are not always what they seem to be. Discuss this concept, including references to the characters of Dr. Condor, Hofmiller, Edith and Kekesfalva.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Hofmiller's relationships with his friends, including Ferencz, his fellow soldiers and Balinkay. What is the general nature of their various relationships? What could he have learned from his friends that might have benefited him in the long run?

(see the answer keys)

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