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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part 5: The Poet is Jealous, Chaps. 1-3, pp. 185-204.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do Jaromil's poems so often include death?
(a) Death is the only thing he does not yet understand
(b) A violent streak is developing as he is treated cruelly by the world.
(c) He wants to be absorbed in something absolute and immense.
(d) He is gradually becoming suicidal.

2. How does Xavier know that there will be no executions the day he hears shots fired?
(a) He has not yet given the command for anyone to be executed.
(b) He has the list of victims memorized.
(c) The list of victims is in his notebook.
(d) Only one family is being targeted.

3. Why is 1949 an interesting year for Czech youth?
(a) They have destroyed the past but have no future.
(b) They have no idea how to implement their ideas for the future.
(c) Their jubilance is both voluntary and mandatory.
(d) Their Marxist ideas are taking hold more quickly than they ever expected.

4. When Jaromil wants to recite poetry to the redhead, what disturbing thought occurs to him?
(a) His fame will never surpass that of the famous poet.
(b) He has not ever written something of value and purpose.
(c) He has only written political poems, which she will not understand.
(d) The only modern poetry is that which will be understood by a common girl like her.

5. Jaromil agonizes over his hair. What kind of hair does he have?
(a) Soft, blond hair.
(b) Very curly hair.
(c) Thin, brown hair.
(d) Dark, thick hair.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the philosophy auditorium, what is the subject of the first poem recited?

2. To Jaromil, what determines a woman's beauty?

3. What pleased the artist the most about Jaromil's drawings?

4. Why does the artist begin loaning books to Jaromil?

5. What does Xavier do with the husband after his presence is discovered?

(see the answer key)

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