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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. When Jaromil has difficulty undressing the redhead, what is the girl wearing?
(a) A grey dress with a wide collar.
(b) A dress with small black buttons down the back.
(c) A thin negligee.
(d) A dress with large white buttons down the front.

4. How long has it been since the middle-aged man saw the girl who rang his doorbell?
(a) Three months.
(b) One year.
(c) Eight years.
(d) Three years.

5. The night of the party, what does Maman realize about the cinematographer?
(a) She loves the girl more than Jaromil does.
(b) The girl is a Communist spy.
(c) The girl will scheme up anything to get what she wants.
(d) The girl would be an excellent daughter-in-law.

Short Answer Questions

1. At Jaromil's sick bed, what words link Maman most closely to him, in her mind?

2. What does the redhead claim that she did when she had a doctor's appointment?

3. What happens to Jaromil's uncle?

4. How many poets participate in the recitation?

5. Why was Maman initially pleased to think about meeting Jaromil's girlfriend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the middle-aged man tell the girl about Jaromil? How is this story the opposite of what Jaromil ever wanted?

2. "Only a real poet knows how lonely it is inside the mirrored house of poetry" (Part 7, Chapter 1, pg 289). Where else does the reader see mirrors in the story, and how does this sentence relate to Jaromil's life?

3. How does the author insert his own thoughts into Part 6, Chapter 1? What effect does this have on this entire part?

4. What are Jaromil's hopes for the two women in his life? What does this show about his understanding of both women?

5. What happens when Jaromil recites his poems to the audience of police members? How does this compare to the hopes he has had?

6. Near the end of the book, Xavier betrays Jaromil by leaving him behind. What is the significance of this scene?

7. In planning the documentary about Jaromil's life, what do Maman and Jaromil reveal about themselves? What do they reveal about their relationship?

8. The group of poets, Jaromil among them, is invited to speak at the police academy in the countryside. What is the irony of this situation and what does it say about the ideals they espouse?

9. "History does not always make a dramatic entrance, it often seeps through every-day life like dirty dishwater. In our story, History makes its appearance in the guise of underwear" (Part 5, Chapter 8, pg 239). What does this mean in the context of Jaromil's story?

10. Maman is disillusioned about the cinematography girl after the girl does not invite her to the party. How does this show the similarity between Maman and the girl?

(see the answer keys)

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