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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Why does the blond girl wear a beautiful white dress to the dance hall?
(a) She wants to personify the snow.
(b) She wants to attract attention from the boys around her.
(c) She wants Xavier to notice her.
(d) It is her wedding dress.

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

4. What kind of dog does the art teacher have?
(a) A St. Bernard.
(b) A Dalmatian.
(c) A Great Dane.
(d) An Alsatian.

5. What does Jaromil write in his diary about the night he was supposed to lose his virginity?
(a) Lots of exclamation marks.
(b) Several paragraphs about the essence of becoming a man.
(c) A thorough description of the university girl.
(d) A detailed account of his emotional state.

6. Why is Jaromil especially proud of the slogan "No churches"?
(a) The youth of today do not need to be burdened by religion.
(b) The statement erases two thousand years of history.
(c) Church reminds him of his mother.
(d) He hates the idea of God.

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

8. Why does the brunette leave Prague?
(a) She is involved in underground activities and must flee.
(b) She does not want to face Jaromil.
(c) She is afraid of rioting in the city.
(d) She is getting married.

9. On the train, why does Xavier avoid his Latin professor?
(a) He failed Latin class the first time he took it.
(b) He thinks the Latin professor will yell at him for missing class.
(c) His Latin professor does not like him.
(d) He has not been to class in a long time.

10. In Part III, Chapter 19, how does Jaromil get a fever?
(a) He stands on the balcony of a girl's apartment in the snow.
(b) He takes a walk around the snowy town without wearing winter clothes.
(c) He visits the university girl when she is sick.
(d) He sits on a park bench with the university girl.

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

12. According to Maman, where was the poet conceived?
(a) On a park bench.
(b) In the countryside near Prague.
(c) In the apartment of the father's colleague.
(d) In her apartment.

13. What does the theme of the long poem reveal about Jaromil's thoughts?
(a) He is obsessed with a woman's body.
(b) He is afraid he will never find true love.
(c) He longs for death.
(d) He is afraid of a woman's body.

14. What is Jaromil's criterion for a true poem?
(a) It must have an established form.
(b) It must be able to stand apart from other poems.
(c) It must be read by someone other than the author.
(d) It must sound poetic when it is recited.

15. Why does Jaromil go to the beach with Maman and her friends?
(a) He cannot think of any excuse not to go.
(b) He wants to spend time with Maman.
(c) Maman will not leave him alone until he said yes.
(d) He thinks a day away might make him happier.

Short Answer Questions

1. While kissing the old woman, why does Xavier turn on the light?

2. Why do Jaromil's poems so often include death?

3. How does Jaromil treat his dates with girls?

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

5. Why does Xavier leave the beautiful woman?

(see the answer keys)

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