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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What makes Maman think that Jaromil is actually becoming like a son of Apollo?
(a) He has taken down the picture of his father.
(b) He values the Greek gods more than passing political trend.
(c) His face is becoming beautiful and godlike rather than coarse.
(d) He has begun writing beautiful poems, not poems of death.

2. What one item fills the man's apartment with nostalgia and melancholy?
(a) A picture of the girl.
(b) The girl's brown shabby coat.
(c) The ring on the girl's left hand.
(d) The girl's downcast face.

3. Why was Maman initially pleased to think about meeting Jaromil's girlfriend?
(a) She had told the downstairs tenant that her family would need the entire upper floor.
(b) She wanted to befriend the redhead so she could control Jaromil more.
(c) She thought perhaps she could make a friend.
(d) She wanted to make peace with Jaromil by meeting his girlfriend.

4. What does the redhead claim that she did when she had a doctor's appointment?
(a) Sent the appointment card back to the doctor.
(b) Went to the appointment even though she hated it.
(c) Burned the appointment card.
(d) Threw away the appointment card and didn't go.

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 telling embarrassing stories of his childhood.
(c) By calling him her little troublemaker.
(d) By calling him pet names.

6. What location is Maman most excited to film in?
(a) The countryside surrounding Prague.
(b) The artist's studio.
(c) Jaromil's bedroom.
(d) Her garden.

7. Just outside the prison, why does the girl hate to see the horses and riders?
(a) She takes it as a bad omen.
(b) She feels far below them and pitiful by comparison.
(c) She thinks they are out to capture people, possibly her.
(d) She has always been afraid of horses.

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

9. During the argument between Jaromil and the party guest, why do the other guests burst out laughing?
(a) Jaromil has tripped over a coffee table and fallen.
(b) Jaromil has punched the party guest in the face.
(c) The party guest has picked up Jaromil by his shirt and pants waist.
(d) Jaromil has tripped over a coffee table and fallen.

10. What boosts Jaromil's confidence before the poetry reading at the police academy?
(a) Five of his poems were recently published.
(b) The janitor's son has complete assurance in his poetic ability.
(c) He is the youngest and therefore the face of the future.
(d) Maman recently praised him for his poetry.

11. When does Jaromil's anger toward the girl at last subside?
(a) When she cries.
(b) When she begs for his forgiveness.
(c) When he hits her.
(d) When he chokes her.

12. Why does the newspaper editor not want to publish Jaromil's poems?
(a) The newspaper gets submissions from a dozen new poets a day.
(b) The editor disagrees with Jaromil's Marxist beliefs which are expressed in several poems.
(c) Jaromil is rude when he asks about the poems he had submitted.
(d) The editor thinks they are poorly written.

13. Why does Jaromil agree to read in the presentation of poets?
(a) He wants to prove that he believes the ideals of communism.
(b) He does not want to make the janitor's son angry.
(c) He thinks it will finally bring him recognition as a poet.
(d) He will become part of the common people since the literary community rejected him.

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

15. How does Maman destroy the intimacy between Jaromil and herself?
(a) By telling Jaromil he could find a better girl.
(b) By insulting the redhead's manners.
(c) By suggesting that the redhead sleeps around.
(d) By looking down on the redhead because of her job.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why has the middle-aged man arranged signals with the people who visit him?

2. Who was the first man the redheaded girl slept with?

3. Why does the girl come to see the man rather than going home?

4. When Jaromil has difficulty undressing the redhead, what is the girl wearing?

5. How does the film begin?

(see the answer keys)

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