View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why are peasants not particularly dangerous, according to Milosz?
(a) They have no education and thus cannot retaliate.
(b) They are happy with their lives.
(c) They are more easily involved in extensive underground work.
(d) The state is the only buyer of what they grow.

2. Because the Communist Party was at first illegal in Poland, what did party members do?
(a) Bided their time until communism had gained a stronger footing.
(b) Were forced to work only through underground means.
(c) Had no choice but to rebel against the laws.
(d) Tried to sway public opinion with writers who were sympathetic to communism.

3. In Chapter 8, Milosz explains that the totalitarian states places such emotional strain on its citizens that what occurs?
(a) They cannot survive long as individuals.
(b) They will cease to think for themselves.
(c) The people cannot be responsible for their actions.
(d) The strain itself determines their actions.

4. Why is Christianity the state's primary enemy?
(a) It creates class divisions.
(b) It encourages radicalism.
(c) It fosters skepticism.
(d) It fosters subservience.

5. What was the title of Delta's most unusual poem, which spoke in terms best understood in a dream?
(a) Folk Songs.
(b) The Persian King.
(c) Folk Fair.
(d) Solomon's Ball.

6. Rather than condemning the four men about whom he writes, how does Milosz open Chapter 8?
(a) Saying they were enslaved by their ways of thinking.
(b) Saying they were misguided by their education.
(c) Saying they were victims of historical circumstance
(d) Saying the situation was too senseless to see the truth.

7. When do Beta's stories show that people are good?
(a) Only while acting within civilization.
(b) Inherently.
(c) When life has meaning.
(d) Only when it directly benefits them.

8. In Russia, what organization did Gamma and several of his friends create?
(a) The Society for the Well-Being of Mankind.
(b) The Union of Patriots.
(c) The Union of Workers.
(d) The Society of Enlightened Communist Workers.

9. Chapter 6 opens with a picture of Vilna, which is a city of __________ .
(a) Streams.
(b) Beaches.
(c) Gardens.
(d) Forests.

10. Because he believed in earthly salvation, what did Beta argue?
(a) Anyone opposing mankind's happiness is evil.
(b) Promises of heavenly salvation are false.
(c) Only man can bring about his own happiness.
(d) History has no force in man's present struggles.

11. At a fairly young age, how did Beta die?
(a) By an unknown assassin.
(b) At the hands of the communists.
(c) By suicide.
(d) At the hands of the Nazis.

12. Beta wrote poems characterized by what?
(a) Leaning on the poet's weak faith in an effort to flee death.
(b) Crying out to God for deliverance.
(c) Lack of faith and the facing of death as reality.
(d) Taking bitter joy in the despair of the poet's surroundings.

13. In light of Beta's poetry, how does Milosz treat the modern artist's potential?
(a) He is condemned to inactivity.
(b) He follows the artistic traditions of former eras.
(c) He works best without established equilibrium.
(d) He can never know rest or inactivity.

14. According to Chapter 8, how does communism define the reactionary?
(a) Reverts to the traditional way of thinking.
(b) Acts contrary to party principles.
(c) Is incapable of seeing how everything is interdependent.
(d) Refuses to agree wholeheartedly with the party.

15. How does Milosz describe Delta's poetry?
(a) An abomination.
(b) A kaleidoscope.
(c) A song played too quickly.
(d) A chubby angel.

Short Answer Questions

1. After two years, Delta returned again to favor, and how did his future look?

2. Why are workers told that it is a crime to strike?

3. Apart from his poetry, what was Delta's personality?

4. When someone asked about his family and origins, how would Delta answer?

5. While talking to Beker, who is about to be burned at the crematorium because he is too weak to work, what is Beta's attitude?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample