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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

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) Lots of exclamation marks.
(c) A detailed account of his emotional state.
(d) Several paragraphs about the essence of becoming a man.

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

3. What is the artist's opinion about Jaromil's drawings of headless women?
(a) Jaromil does not acknowledge humanity.
(b) Jaromil's drawings reflect a fear of women.
(c) The environments of the pictures do not acknowledge humanity.
(d) Jaromil does not have enough talent to draw portraits.

4. Why does the blond girl wear a beautiful white dress to the dance hall?
(a) It is her wedding dress.
(b) She wants to personify the snow.
(c) She wants Xavier to notice her.
(d) She wants to attract attention from the boys around her.

5. What does Jaromil see as the sign that his verses have true power?
(a) The artist's enthusiastic reaction.
(b) The poems' ability to stand on their own as independent works.
(c) The emotion on his mother's face when she reads them.
(d) His own thrill at the sounds of the words.

6. Jaromil agonizes over his hair. What kind of hair does he have?
(a) Dark, thick hair.
(b) Very curly hair.
(c) Thin, brown hair.
(d) Soft, blond hair.

7. The second time that Jaromil does not make love to the university girl, what does she think?
(a) He does not love her.
(b) He is secretly gay.
(c) There is something wrong with his body.
(d) He wants to break up with her.

8. After the debate in the artist's apartment, how does Jaromil know he is no longer welcome there?
(a) The artist locks the door behind him when he leaves.
(b) The artist gives him a stern look rather than a verbal response.
(c) The artist asks him not to come back.
(d) The artist's guests ignore Jaromil and resume their conversation.

9. Where does Jaromil show off opinions about education which he heard from his grandfather?
(a) During school.
(b) At the dentist's office.
(c) At the doctor's office.
(d) At a friend's house.

10. How does Maman shame Jaromil in front of her guests?
(a) Berates him for an untidy bedroom.
(b) Combs his hair.
(c) Asks if he's dating a common girl.
(d) Brushes the lint off his trousers.

11. Why is Jaromil filled with pride after sleeping with the redhead girl?
(a) She thinks he is experienced.
(b) She relieved him of his virginity.
(c) She is strikingly beautiful.
(d) She does not ask questions about his inexperience.

12. How does the artist show Maman that he is not interested in a relationship with her?
(a) Shows her new paintings of his girlfriend.
(b) Tells her everything about his girlfriend.
(c) Treats her like a friend when she goes to his apartment.
(d) Tells her he does not want to see her again.

13. How does Xavier use sleep?
(a) As a way of living.
(b) As a way of mind control training.
(c) As a form of self-hypnosis.
(d) As a way of preparing for life.

14. Why does Jaromil not speak to the cashier when she leaves the store?
(a) He does not have enough courage to approach her.
(b) He prefers to walk next to her silently.
(c) She is always with a man.
(d) She is always with another girl.

15. Why do Jaromil's drawings favor dogs?
(a) He cannot draw any other animal.
(b) He loves dogs better than any other animal.
(c) He draws dogs best.
(d) He sees dogs as the symbol of virtue and natural goodness.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Kundera, what is "the first precondition of freedom" (Part III, Chapter 18, pg 121)?

2. Why is revolution an exciting prospect to young people?

3. What is the redhead's perception of Jaromil's interest in her?

4. Why does Maman not want to go to the lake on vacation?

5. What does Jaromil draw during his first lesson in the artist's studio?

(see the answer keys)

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