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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Maman not want to go to the lake on vacation?
(a) It would have reminded her of happier summers.
(b) She wanted her husband to go along.
(c) Jaromil did not want to go with her.
(d) She did not have enough money.

2. Where does Xavier usually go when he skips school?
(a) The Charles Bridge.
(b) To his girlfriend's house.
(c) The Andrews Bridge.
(d) The yellow house.

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

4. 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.

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

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

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

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

9. What is the first time Jaromil's words save him from punishment?
(a) When he used adult vocabulary at a young age.
(b) When he yelled in a trochee speech pattern.
(c) When he began reciting the encyclopedia.
(d) When his insult was a rhyme.

10. What night does Magda take her bath?
(a) Tuesday.
(b) Wednesday.
(c) Saturday.
(d) Sunday.

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

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

13. Why does Maman blame Jaromil for all her troubles?
(a) She would rather blame her son as herself.
(b) He has cost her the love of every man in her life.
(c) She lashes out at him because he is defenseless.
(d) He is too emotionally needy.

14. 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) It is her wedding dress.
(d) She wants Xavier to notice her.

15. In the opinion of Jaromil's uncle, why did the revolution occur?
(a) So the Communists could finally become a powerful political party.
(b) So that the new era of humanity could begin.
(c) So the Communists could seize what little power they did not already have.
(d) So that the capitalist swine would be overthrown.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sacred contract does Maman feel that Jaromil is violating?

2. How does Xavier use sleep?

3. What idea about poetry does the artist's chastisement cause in Jaromil's mind?

4. Why does Jaromil walk through the world with a feeling of guilt?

5. Why does Maman push away her husband's hand when he wants to make love?

(see the answer keys)

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