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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. Where do Ludvik and Helena have lunch after she arrives in Moravia?

2. How many years did Jaroslav and Ludvik share a school bench when they were younger?

3. What was Lucie caught stealing before she left Ostrava?

4. What is Helena's favorite word?

5. Who looks after Lucie after she starts at the state-farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event called Kostka's Christianity into question by the administration at the University?

2. How does Kostka justify leaving his wife and child?

3. Why does Ludvik say that women don't talk about their husbands to their lovers?

4. How does Ludvik's memory of Helena differ from Helena in reality, upon their meeting in Moravia?

5. What happened to the historical music and literature of Czech nation in the nineteenth century?

6. How does Jaroslav describe the "Communists of the time," after his first year at University?

7. How does Kovalik suggest to Ludvik the people have come around to accepting state-sponsored rites of passage in the place of religious ceremonies?

8. How did Kostka feel about Ludvik defending him to the University?

9. How does Jaroslav feel about Ludvik when they see each other after Ludvik's sentence at Ostrava?

10. Describe the Helena Ludvik is finally attracted to.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fully describe the ceremony of the Ride of the Kings. What is the significance of this ceremony in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the symbolism inherent in the gifts Ludvik and Lucie give to each other during their time together in Ostrava.

Essay Topic 3

Outline Kostka's belief system and the major fallacies reflected in the life he leads.

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This section contains 719 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample