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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Maman have complete control of her son?
(a) By being very strict with him.
(b) By acting as both his mother and father.
(c) By controlling his emotions.
(d) By deciding what he wears and eats.

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

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

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

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

6. When Jaromil and the university girl are kissing in her house, what does Jaromil think about obsessively?
(a) His early curfew.
(b) Turning off the light.
(c) His torn shirt cuff.
(d) The girl's breath.

7. What does Jaromil do when the redhead catches him staring through her apartment window?
(a) Keeps staring unabashedly.
(b) Runs away.
(c) Knocks on her door.
(d) Brings her flowers.

8. In desperation for a response, what does Jaromil mail to the famous poet?
(a) A twenty-page letter.
(b) His own long poem written in the poet's most recent book.
(c) A grey striped dove.
(d) Twenty telephone receivers.

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

10. 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 began reciting the encyclopedia.
(c) When his insult was a rhyme.
(d) When he yelled in a trochee speech pattern.

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

12. 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 sound poetic when it is recited.
(d) It must be read by someone other than the author.

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

14. 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.

15. During the Marxist debate which Jaromil attends, how does one person cause a distraction?
(a) Tapping his foot against his chair leg.
(b) Periodically sniffing a wilted lily.
(c) Elbowing the girl next to him whenever the speaker makes a good point.
(d) Reading random sections of Marx's writing.

Short Answer Questions

1. During the summer, why is Jaromil alone?

2. What does Jaromil hang on the wall in his room?

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

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

5. According to the poet's father, where was the poet conceived?

(see the answer keys)

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