View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When Ilona asks Hofmiller why he did not come to the castle, what lie does he tell her?

2. When Kekesfalva asks Hofmiller about his conversation with Dr. Condor regarding Edith's condition, what does Hofmiller say at first?

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

4. What happens when Hofmiller arrives at the castle to thank Kekesfalva for the dinner invitation?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Kekesfalva trick Dietzenhof with regard to the worth of her property?

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

3. Why did Kekesfalva not simply flee with the money he received from Dietzenhof after he bought the property from her?

4. How did Annette Dietzenhof acquire the Kekesfalva estate?

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

6. In the early weeks of his relationship with the Kekesfalva family, how does Hofmiller's friendship with them affect his relationship with his fellow soldiers?

7. When Hofmiller's friends tease him about his relationship with Kekesfalva and his family, what does Hofmiller decide to do about the situation?

8. How does Hofmiller's report to Kekesfalva differ from the actual information he was given by Dr. Condor?

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

10. Why is Hofmiller so delighted when he sees Ilona outside the cafe after he has spent the evening there with his friends rather than going to the castle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how Hofmiller's sense of responsibility impacts his actions and the fate of the Kekesfalva family. How does he come to feel increasingly responsible for Edith and her family? How does he handle that responsibility?

Essay Topic 2

Lies and delusion are central themes throughout the book. Describe how small lies grew into major ones, and the impact those lies had on the characters and the book's outcome.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,328 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample