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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the highest point of happiness which Jaromil reaches so far in his life?
(a) A girl resting her head on his shoulder.
(b) The reconciliation with his mother after their fight.
(c) His father's memorial service as a war hero.
(d) Sleeping with the girl he met at dancing class.

2. How does the artist show Maman that he is not interested in a relationship with her?
(a) Shows her new paintings of his girlfriend.
(b) Tells her everything about his girlfriend.
(c) Treats her like a friend when she goes to his apartment.
(d) Tells her he does not want to see her again.

3. How does Jaromil treat his dates with girls?
(a) As exercises in conversation.
(b) As rites of passage necessary for manhood.
(c) As uncomfortable times he must endure.
(d) As the potential for sexual activity.

4. Why does Xavier stay in the woman's room when her husband comes home?
(a) He wants to protect her from danger.
(b) He does not have time to leave.
(c) He wants to confront her husband.
(d) He wants to put the woman in danger as a form of revenge.

5. In looking at the Apollo statue, what does Maman hope?
(a) That her son will inherit the god's divine attributes.
(b) That Apollo will protect her son from the world.
(c) That the gods will treat her child favorably.
(d) That her son will resemble the god rather than his human father.

6. What is the artist's opinion about Jaromil's drawings of headless women?
(a) Jaromil's drawings reflect a fear of women.
(b) The environments of the pictures do not acknowledge humanity.
(c) Jaromil does not have enough talent to draw portraits.
(d) Jaromil does not acknowledge humanity.

7. Why does Maman welcome her pregnancy?
(a) She has always wanted to be a mother.
(b) She sees it as the final step of independence from her parents.
(c) She sees the family as a trio filling the universe.
(d) She thinks perhaps her husband will truly love her.

8. The second time that Jaromil does not make love to the university girl, what does she think?
(a) He does not love her.
(b) He is secretly gay.
(c) He wants to break up with her.
(d) There is something wrong with his body.

9. Why is revolution an exciting prospect to young people?
(a) It gives them an outlet for violent and sexual cravings.
(b) They are able to destroy their fathers' world.
(c) It provides the excitement they crave.
(d) They can act without consequences.

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

11. Why does Maman weep as the artist makes love to her?
(a) She is finally ashamed of the affair.
(b) She knows that she is nothing more than the canvas for his ideas.
(c) She equates him to the Apollo statue, which she had wanted to be the model of Jaromil's personality.
(d) She is sad that she will never marry him.

12. What reason does the poet's father give for not having more children?
(a) Jaromil is such a nuisance that he does not want more like him.
(b) He cannot afford to raise more children.
(c) He was forced to compromise for one child in the beginning, so Maman should compromise and be happy with only one.
(d) He is about to go to war and would not be a part of the children's lives.

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

14. What is unusual about Xavier's presence at the blond girl's funeral?
(a) He is not at all sad that she died.
(b) He knows nearly half of the other mourners.
(c) He is the only one who knows what caused her death.
(d) He attended the funeral although he did not truly love her.

15. What does Maman do with the books that the artist loans her?
(a) Does not read them.
(b) Reads them secretly for fear that Jaromil will recognize them.
(c) Asks Jaromil to read them so she doesn't have to.
(d) Reads them openly as a sign of her new love.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the primary reason that Xavier runs into danger ahead of his comrades?

2. Who or what is the real source of Jaromil's poetic inspiration?

3. What does the theme of the long poem reveal about Jaromil's thoughts?

4. Why does Xavier constantly arrive late, no matter where he's going?

5. Why is the famous poet booed by the audience after he reads a poem?

(see the answer keys)

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