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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Xavier find most compelling about the woman in the house?
(a) Her hair.
(b) Her hands.
(c) Her breasts.
(d) Her eyes.

3. Which famous composer's music is played at the blond girl's funeral?
(a) Chopin's.
(b) Beethoven's.
(c) Mozart's.
(d) Bach's.

4. Why is Jaromil filled with pride after sleeping with the redhead girl?
(a) She relieved him of his virginity.
(b) She thinks he is experienced.
(c) She does not ask questions about his inexperience.
(d) She is strikingly beautiful.

5. Why does Jaromil not speak to the cashier when she leaves the store?
(a) She is always with another girl.
(b) He prefers to walk next to her silently.
(c) He does not have enough courage to approach her.
(d) She is always with a man.

6. What idea about poetry does the artist's chastisement cause in Jaromil's mind?
(a) That he is an imposter in the world of poetry.
(b) That he is a worthless poet and will not succeed.
(c) That he is talented and has great potential for success.
(d) That he had been chosen to be the instrument of the poetic ideal.

7. Why does Maman take her husband's picture off the wall?
(a) He had been having an affair with a Jewish girl.
(b) He had not been involved in the underground resistance.
(c) She fell in love with someone else.
(d) He had been complying with the Communist takeover.

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

9. Why does Maman weep as the artist makes love to her?
(a) She is sad that she will never marry him.
(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 finally ashamed of the affair.

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

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

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

13. Jaromil agonizes over his hair. What kind of hair does he have?
(a) Very curly hair.
(b) Soft, blond hair.
(c) Thin, brown hair.
(d) Dark, thick hair.

14. What sacred contract does Maman feel that Jaromil is violating?
(a) His trust and confidence in her without shame.
(b) His loyalty to her over his father.
(c) His original, baby-like innocence.
(d) His loyalty to her over all other women.

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 thinks a day away might make him happier.
(c) He wants to spend time with Maman.
(d) Maman will not leave him alone until he said yes.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jaromil see as the sign that his verses have true power?

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

3. In the opinion of Jaromil's uncle, why did the revolution occur?

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

5. Why is revolution an exciting prospect to young people?

(see the answer keys)

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