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

2. What year did Kostka meet Ludvik?

3. How many mothers sit in a semi-circle in the simulated baptism in part five?

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

5. What event brought Ludvik and Kostka together for their first conversation?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why did Zemanek read Fucik at Ludvik's hearing?

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

5. What does Christian living mean to Kostka?

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

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

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

9. How does Jaroslav imagine his mother?

10. Describe Kostka's analysis of Ludvik - what does Kostka feel Ludvik's deepest motives are?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of "the mirror" to the characters of "The Joke"? Pick two characters to focus your essay.

Essay Topic 3

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

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This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample