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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. Which of the following does NOT describe Kovály when she arrives at the camp?

2. Who moves into Kovály's apartment with her?

3. Which of Kovály's friends promises absolute assistance under any circumstance?

4. How is Russia portrayed to the Czech people?

5. How are the escaped women able to cross the border out of Nazi Germany?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Kovály's difficulties in obtaining a death certificate for Margolius.

2. After Margolius' death, why does Kovály worry that she would be arrested?

3. What does an old friend in the country encourage Margolius to do?

4. What is Kovály's last meeting with Margolius like?

5. How does Kovály describe the feeling in Prague by the middle of 1951?

6. How does the Margolius' lives change after Rudolf accepts a high-ranking government job?

7. What event does Margolius and Kovály attend in 1950, and who greeted them there?

8. Who is arrested in November 1951 and how does it affect Margolius?

9. What complaint does Marta have about Vlada when Kovály met her?

10. How are Kovály and Margolius able to communicate after his arrest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Kovály's second husband, Pavel Kovály. How do they meet? What happens to Pavel after he marries Heda? Why does this happen?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of escape in "Under A Cruel Star." Describe Kovály's escape from the Nazis. How does she do this and is she successful? How does she later escape from occupied Czechoslovakia and where does she go? How does she feel about leaving her homeland?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the conclusion of the memoir "Under A Cruel Star." What happens at the end of the story? Is it a happy ending? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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