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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. What was Sabina's views of modern music?

2. In Part 4, Chapter 1, what aroma did Tereza notice on Tomas's hair?

3. What did Franz try to create for the woman he had fallen in love with?

4. What is the meaning of Tereza's secret vice, her long looks and frequent glances in the mirror?

5. What happened to Tereza's father after her mother left him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the bowler hat represent for Sabina?

2. Describe Tereza's mother:

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

4. Do you think that Tomas and Tereaz met by chance or by fate?

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

6. What were Tereza's dreams about?

7. Describe Franz's weakness.

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

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

10. What happens to Franz after Sabina leaves him for good?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the three options to write about:

1. Kandera compares the behavior of animals to that of humans. Cite 3 examples where Kandera compares animals to humans and discuss his views on this subject.

2. Kandera questions why humans don't have the selfless love that exists between people and animals. Tereza, for instance, has a better love for her dog than for Tomas. Cite 3 examples of how Tereza's love for her dog Karenin is better than her love for Tomas. What actions would have made her love unconditional?

3. Tereza treats the animals she comes across well. Would she have made a good mother? How do you think her childhood experience might have influenced her relationship with her children, had she had any? Would she have been a happier more fulfilled woman had she had children?

Essay Topic 2

Tomas and Tereza are crushed in a car accident.

1. Did Tomas and Tereza live under a lot of weight throughout their relationship? Cite examples.

2. Kundera claims that weight represents a more realistic life. Do you agree? Is Tomas and Tereza's life more realistic than other characters in the novel, such as Sabina and Franz?

3. Throughout the novel, does Tomas and Tereza make decisions with the intent of approaching lightness or weight? What is the results? Cite 3 incidences where their decisions lead to lightness or weight.

Essay Topic 3

Would you stay home for the sake of loved ones or travel overseas to help a country in need? Why or why not? What is more important, home and family or helping big causes? How would Franz's life ended up had he remained at home or returned safely home? What do you think happened to his mistress?

(see the answer keys)

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