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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. In "Part VIII," why is Herr von Maiboom in debt?

2. What does Tom do when Tony refuses to go back to Munich?

3. When their son is born in "Part VII," why does it settle Gerda's fears?

4. In "Part X," why does Tom say he can't become a high-level politician?

5. What do the women in "Part VII" say about Hanno?

Short Essay Questions

1. What argument do Tom and Christian get into after their mother's death?

2. What book does Tom read in "Part X"?

3. In "Part VIII," how does Tony broker a deal for Tom?

4. What things occur to end the marriage between Tony and Permaneder?

5. What makes Hugo Weinschenk a good match for Erica?

6. What happens during the war in "Part VII"?

7. What happens when Frau Consul becomes ill in "Part IX"?

8. How does Tom feel about Tony leaving Permaneder in "Part VI"?

9. In "Part VI," how does Tony describe Munich when she visits there?

10. What is Frau Consul's funeral like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What commentary does the author provide about social class divides? Consider the marriages that take place in this novel that cross social class lines.

Essay Topic 2

The author did not intentionally mean for this novel to be a critique of the upper classes, yet it can be read that way. Argue if you feel this novel is critical of the upper classes or not.

Essay Topic 3

How does the author use dialogue to develop the emotions of his characters? Is this effective or ineffective? Why?

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