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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 did World War I begin?

2. What does K. do before leaving Fraülein Bürstner’s room in “A Conversation with Frau Grubach”?

3. What is K.’s position at the bank where he works in the novel?

4. By what method of transportation does K. travel to work in the morning in “The Arrest”?

5. Where does K. see Kaminer on his way to the courtroom in “The First Hearing”?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is K. incapable of handling his trial in the same ways that he handles his work at the bank?

2. Where do Franz and Willem take K. in “The Arrest”? Why?

3. How is the character of Franz introduced in “The Arrest”? What is Franz’s assessment of K.?

4. How is the character of Frau Grubach introduced in “A Conversation with Frau Grubach”?

5. How are the people in the courtroom situated in “The First Hearing”? How is this arrangement symbolic?

6. What is K.’s reaction to the invitation given him by the Deputy Manager in “The First Hearing”?

7. What does Franz say when he grovels to K. for help in “The Thrasher”?

8. What is K. doing in the opening of “The Arrest”? How does the narrator describe the reason for his arrest in this chapter?

9. What response does K. receive when he asks the three men in the lumber-room, “What are you doing here” in “The Thrasher”?

10. What is Josef K.’s central plight in “The Arrest”? How does he go about achieving his goal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the characters of Uncle Karl and Erna in the narrative. What relationship did K. have with his uncle growing up? What does K.’s uncle learn from Erna regarding K.’s trial? How does Uncle Karl feel about K.’s trial?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of the individual versus society in The Trial. In what ways does K. attempt to retain his individuality in the story? In what ways is K.’s character isolated from society? What elements of symbolism support this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the character of Leni in the novel. What draws K. to this character? What promises does Leni make to K. in “His Uncle – Leni”? How does K. respond when he sees Leni’s “physical defect”? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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