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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. How does Maman shame Jaromil in front of her guests?
(a) Asks if he's dating a common girl.
(b) Berates him for an untidy bedroom.
(c) Brushes the lint off his trousers.
(d) Combs his hair.

2. While kissing the old woman, why does Xavier turn on the light?
(a) He wants to show off for the blond girl.
(b) He does not want to lose sight of the blond girl.
(c) He wants to take away the old woman's shame in her withered body.
(d) He wants to block out all sight of the blond girl.

3. What is Xavier's first impression of the woman in the house?
(a) Happiness.
(b) Tiredness.
(c) Melancholy.
(d) Contentment.

4. What does the redhead claim that she did when she had a doctor's appointment?
(a) Went to the appointment even though she hated it.
(b) Sent the appointment card back to the doctor.
(c) Threw away the appointment card and didn't go.
(d) Burned the appointment card.

5. What are the four students singing about while on the train?
(a) A summer storm.
(b) The skiing holiday.
(c) Their train ride.
(d) A dead canary.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Maman's attitude about her affair?

2. Why does the blond girl wear a beautiful white dress to the dance hall?

3. According to Kundera, what is "tenderness"?

4. What is the redhead's reaction to Jaromil's poetry printed in the newspaper?

5. What is the highest point of happiness which Jaromil reaches so far in his life?

(see the answer key)

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