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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part 5: Chaps. 9-11, pp. 242-266.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Jaromil write in his diary about the night he was supposed to lose his virginity?
(a) A thorough description of the university girl.
(b) Several paragraphs about the essence of becoming a man.
(c) Lots of exclamation marks.
(d) A detailed account of his emotional state.

2. During the summer, why is Jaromil alone?
(a) He has alienated all his friends.
(b) Maman is rarely home.
(c) His grandma died and the house is nearly empty.
(d) The university girl left town.

3. Why does Maman feel guilty about her husband's death?
(a) The news of his death had not made her sad.
(b) She does not miss him because she has Jaromil.
(c) She had been unfaithful to him while he was involved in the underground mission.
(d) She had inadvertently caused his death.

4. After Jaromil hears about the girl's brother, what action does he want her to take?
(a) Flee the country with him.
(b) Urge her family to stop her brother.
(c) Persuade her brother not to flee.
(d) Tell the police.

5. How does Maman view her love for the young engineer?
(a) As a revolt against her parents' prosaic lives.
(b) As a passing fling.
(c) As her life's consuming passion.
(d) As the preface for the love for her child.

Short Answer Questions

1. What puzzles Jaromil about the artist's poetry critiques?

2. In Part III, Chapter 19, how does Jaromil get a fever?

3. What happens as Maman sees her son's physicality?

4. What can only a true poet know?

5. According to Kundera, what is "tenderness"?

(see the answer key)

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