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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In his lifetime, Franz has never...

2. Why was Tomas attracted to Tereza?

3. What is Franz's profession?

4. What was Tereza training for since childhood?

5. What was Sabina's views of modern music?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Franz expect Marie-Claude to react to his confession about his affairs and how does she actually respond?

2. How did Tomas ensure that erotic friendship never grew into the aggression of love?

3. What did the dream about the naked women in the pool, who resembled each other and who were one by one executed by Tomas, represent?

4. Describe Franz's love for Sabina.

5. How did Tereza react to her mother's phone call telling her she had cancer and only 5 months to live?

6. Is reaching the lightness of being Sabina's goal?

7. Describe Franz's weakness.

8. What argument does Tereza use when she rejects the offer to take photos of a cactus?

9. Why does Franz take part in every possible demonstration in Paris?

10. What did Tereza feel when she stood naked in front of Sabina as Sabina photographed her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sabina and Marie-Claude are two of the coolest characters in this novel.

1. Comapre and contrast the characters of Sabina and Marie-Claude. How are they the same? How are they different?

2. Has Franza chosen a mistress that has similar characteristics to that of his wife? Cite 5 examples of how Franz fails to read through the women he married and his lover.

3. Who has less compassion towards Franz, his wife or Sabina? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

Essay Topic 2

On a number of occasions, Tomas questions his relationship with Tereza.

1. How many times does Tomas question his relationship with Tereza? Use specific examples that include the when, where and why?

2. Had Tomas not followed Tereza back to Prague, what type of lifestyle would he have pursued?

3. Tomas dreams of a woman he has not yet met. She is the one for Tomas. What kind of woman would have been more compatible with Tomas? What prevents Tomas from letting go of Tereza to find a happier relationship?

Essay Topic 3

Tomas is a surgeon out of a deep passion and desire.

1. How many times does Tomas jeopardize his career? Cite the incidences where TOmas chooses a route that takes him further and further away from his career.

2. Tomas descends from one job to another, but he claims to Tereza at the end that he is happy. Is Tomas truly happy or pretending to be so? Cite 3 incidences that support your theory.

3. Had Tomas remained in Zurich, where his career as a surgeon flourished, would he have been better off? Or was he destined to be with Tereza and didn't really have a choice? Cite 3 incidences from the book that support your theory.

(see the answer keys)

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