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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the last thing Jaromil ever sees?
(a) His father's portrait.
(b) Love in his mother's face.
(c) Great fear in his mother's face.
(d) His hand lying on the quilt.

2. Why had Jaromil not known about the film about his life?
(a) The cinematographer was not comfortable having Jaromil deeply involved.
(b) Maman was subtly hoping the film would actually be about her.
(c) He was too caught up in the redhead to notice.
(d) Maman had wanted it to be a surprise.

3. When Jaromil wants to recite poetry to the redhead, what disturbing thought occurs to him?
(a) His fame will never surpass that of the famous poet.
(b) The only modern poetry is that which will be understood by a common girl like her.
(c) He has only written political poems, which she will not understand.
(d) He has not ever written something of value and purpose.

4. Symbolically, what role does Maman want to play in Jaromil's life?
(a) An all-encompassing embrace.
(b) The source of eternal light.
(c) A guardian angel.
(d) A large meadow.

5. During the filming, how does Maman push Jaromil back into the role of a young child?
(a) By reminding him of immature ideas he used to believe.
(b) By calling him her little troublemaker.
(c) By telling embarrassing stories of his childhood.
(d) By calling him pet names.

6. According to one of the party guests, why has Jaromil stopped talking to the artist?
(a) The artist was involved in spy campaigns.
(b) The friendship would have stood in the way of his career.
(c) Jaromil's art deserved better instruction than this man could give.
(d) Jaromil saw that the man was a capitalist discontent.

7. According to Kundera, why is lyricism immature?
(a) It only writes poems about childhood.
(b) It wants to return to the safety of childhood.
(c) It cannot handle themes of war and death.
(d) It thinks mostly about mothers and motherhood.

8. How does Jaromil feel after talking to the police about the redhead's brother?
(a) Confident and more decisive.
(b) Emotionally shaken.
(c) Afraid for the train of events he has started.
(d) Eager to help the state.

9. Who is most upset that the bus stop was moved two blocks away from the villa?
(a) The organizer of the poetry recitation.
(b) The man with the wooden leg.
(c) The middle-aged woman.
(d) The pretty cinematographer.

10. At the end of Part 6, what sound does Kundera hear?
(a) The rustle of bedclothes.
(b) Death stamping its feet.
(c) The future walking.
(d) Jaromil's breath.

11. According to Jaromil, how do socialism and love interact?
(a) Socialism allows for true love to exist.
(b) Socialism stifles love.
(c) Socialism comes from the root of love.
(d) They are complete opposites.

12. What happens when a classmate asks Jaromil about the redhead?
(a) He replies that she is the love of his life.
(b) He replies that she is his cousin.
(c) He replies that she is a casual acquaintance.
(d) He refuses to answer the question, out of embarrassment.

13. What had the middle-aged man done when the girl was arrested?
(a) Pleaded with a judge to free her.
(b) Tore up her picture and called her an enemy of the future.
(c) Gotten another girlfriend.
(d) Tried his best to rescue her.

14. When Maman is embarrassed about her dress in front of Jaromil, what does she change into?
(a) A blue wrapper.
(b) A light purple dress.
(c) A pink dressing gown.
(d) A grey dress.

15. While Jaromil is talking with the redhead about love, how does death enter the conversation?
(a) When she threatens to kill herself if he ever leaves her.
(b) When he threatens to kill her if she ever leaves him.
(c) When she swore she could not live without him.
(d) When they promise to be die together in suicide.

Short Answer Questions

1. What disguise does Jaromil use for treating the redhead with cruelty?

2. To Jaromil, what does Xavier represent?

3. While watching the beautiful cinematographer on the bus, what does Jaromil realize?

4. What does Lermontov assert is the highest quality in life?

5. After Jaromil hears about the girl's brother, what action does he want her to take?

(see the answer keys)

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