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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. Why does Zdena urge Mirek to take this action?
(a) To save her political embarrassment.
(b) To save her social embarrassment.
(c) To save himself.
(d) To find a home in a freer country.

2. What was happening in 1948 in Kundera's life?
(a) He begins to doubt the efficacy of communism.
(b) He learns he has leukemia.
(c) His wife dies in childbirth.
(d) He is involved in the political parties of his time and "danced in a ring."

3. What is happening to Mirek's house when he arrives?
(a) It is being remodeled.
(b) It is on fire.
(c) It is surrounded by the militia.
(d) The police are searching it.

4. What does Michelle and Gabrielle's laughter elicit?
(a) A slap from Sister Maria who is teaching the class.
(b) A hushing noise from another person.
(c) A more in-depth discussion of laughter.
(d) A grimace from Madame Raphael.

5. What does distance do for Marketa's attitude toward her mother-in-law?
(a) It gives her the perspective to be able to forgive the mother-in-law.
(b) It softens Marketa's perspective on her mother-in-law.
(c) It makes her more determined to steer clear of her mother-in-law.
(d) Nothing.

Short Answer Questions

1. What upsets Marketa about her mother-in-law?

2. For what does Mirek ask Zdena?

3. Why does Marketa begin to write her mother-in-law?

4. What does Kundera have the urge to do?

5. What is Kundera hired to write for a political magazine?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kundera's loss of his friends in the dancing circle affect him later?

2. What is the meaning of laughter in part 3?

3. What do Kundera and other students do around 1948 and why? Do you think Kundera is speaking metaphorically or actuality.

4. Who is Mirek going to visit and why?

5. How is the fur hat symbolic?

6. What does this Kundera say about our collective past?

7. What happens when Mirek arrives back home and how is this somewhat ironic?

8. What does Mirek think of Zdena when they first meet and then become lovers?

9. How does Marketa's feelings towards her mother-in-law change over time?

10. What does Marketa contemplate doing with Eva near the end of the chapter?

(see the answer keys)

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