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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who or what is the real source of Jaromil's poetic inspiration?
(a) His talent.
(b) The children's books his mother read.
(c) His grandpa.
(d) His father's influence.

2. What do Jaromil's classmates find most irritating about him?
(a) He does not join in any of their games.
(b) He has more money than they do.
(c) Mother love clings to everything he has.
(d) He received more Christmas presents than any of them did.

3. After the debate in the artist's apartment, how does Jaromil know he is no longer welcome there?
(a) The artist locks the door behind him when he leaves.
(b) The artist gives him a stern look rather than a verbal response.
(c) The artist's guests ignore Jaromil and resume their conversation.
(d) The artist asks him not to come back.

4. What does Jaromil think is the quintessential surrealist object?
(a) The telephone receiver with the dangling cord.
(b) The statue of Apollo.
(c) The chair leg if seen by itself.
(d) His mother's light blue perfume bottle.

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

6. Why does Jaromil not react to the words his mother painted for his room redecoration?
(a) He is ashamed that she used his own words.
(b) He does not recognize that the words are his.
(c) He is amazed that his words have their own significance.
(d) He is embarrassed to show how proud he is of them.

7. According to Kundera, what is "tenderness"?
(a) The proper response of a parent to the child.
(b) The sheltering of a child so that he does not mature.
(c) Treating the woman like a child, for fear of consequences.
(d) The affection of the woman for her lover.

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

9. What does Jaromil hang on the wall in his room?
(a) A portrait of his mother.
(b) A portrait of his father.
(c) A portrait of Karl Marx.
(d) His parents' wedding picture.

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

11. What can only a true poet know?
(a) The desire to live in a world without mirrors.
(b) The desire to write a life-changing poem.
(c) The desire not to be a poet.
(d) The desire to be a part of the world.

12. With whom does the famous poet appear on the street?
(a) An imposing policeman who personifies his beliefs.
(b) A pretty girl who looks like a fashion model.
(c) A common girl taken from the hubbub of life.
(d) His mother.

13. Why does Jaromil imitate his peers' actions and speech as if he's in a mirror?
(a) He does not know how to be his own person.
(b) He is a year older than they are.
(c) He has very low self-esteem.
(d) He is a year younger than they are.

14. How is the university girl different from any other girl Jaromil has known?
(a) She barely lets him touch her.
(b) She does not want him to meet her family.
(c) She only lets him kiss her when no one else is around.
(d) She gives him complete liberty with her body.

15. What does Xavier take as an invitation to enter the house?
(a) The husband's absence.
(b) The open door.
(c) The open window.
(d) The woman beckoning.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Maman shame Jaromil in front of her guests?

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

3. According to Maman, where was the poet conceived?

4. Why does Jaromil wait to show his poetry to the university girl?

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

(see the answer keys)

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