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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. When Ludvik sits down to have a shave, what does he do?

2. In the beginning of the novel, the narrator claims his mission could have been completed in what city?

3. As the woman cleans Ludvik's face with a towel, what does Ludvik pretend?

4. What does the river in Moravia look like?

5. Once Ludvik lost the rights to his University studies he expected to be notified of what compulsory service?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ludvik feel frustrated when he leaves the barber for his shave?

2. What is a typical day in the life of Ludvik at Ostrava?

3. What is Kostka's bachelor pad like?

4. Describe Ludvik's hotel room in Moravia.

5. How does Helena feel about the Party?

6. Why don't Helena's coworkers like her?

7. What were the early days of Helena and Zemanek's relationship like?

8. What was Helena's first meeting with Ludvik like, according to Helena?

9. After Marketa and Ludvik speak candidly about the postcard, Ludvik suggests he could win Marketa despite everything. How, and what, does he do?

10. How did Marketa react to the postcard Ludvik sent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the time Ludvik spent in Ostrava. How was he as a person before he went? What major events happened there? How did he change?

Essay Topic 2

What makes Lucie afraid of physical intimacy and how is it overcome?

Essay Topic 3

Describe a genuine Moravian wedding. Pick some symbols to describe, compare and contrast.

(see the answer keys)

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