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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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.

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

3. How is the university girl different from any other girl Jaromil has known?
(a) She does not want him to meet her family.
(b) She only lets him kiss her when no one else is around.
(c) She gives him complete liberty with her body.
(d) She barely lets him touch her.

4. On the train, why does Xavier avoid his Latin professor?
(a) He failed Latin class the first time he took it.
(b) He has not been to class in a long time.
(c) His Latin professor does not like him.
(d) He thinks the Latin professor will yell at him for missing class.

5. What is the silver-haired poet's attitude toward the poetry reading in the auditorium?
(a) He is a young person moving toward the future.
(b) He is grateful to Marxism for bringing such disparate people together.
(c) He deserves to be honored for his poetic achievements.
(d) He is too good for the young people who have gathered.

6. What is Jaromil's criterion for a true poem?
(a) It must have an established form.
(b) It must be able to stand apart from other poems.
(c) It must sound poetic when it is recited.
(d) It must be read by someone other than the author.

7. Why do Jaromil's poems so often include death?
(a) A violent streak is developing as he is treated cruelly by the world.
(b) He is gradually becoming suicidal.
(c) He wants to be absorbed in something absolute and immense.
(d) Death is the only thing he does not yet understand

8. What is Jaromil's first long poem about?
(a) Young lovers who are reunited.
(b) Death that comes early for a young man.
(c) A man who suddenly realizes he is old.
(d) The tragedy of love that is realized too late.

9. Who or what is the real source of Jaromil's poetic inspiration?
(a) His father's influence.
(b) His grandpa.
(c) His talent.
(d) The children's books his mother read.

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

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

12. What does Xavier take as an invitation to enter the house?
(a) The open door.
(b) The husband's absence.
(c) The open window.
(d) The woman beckoning.

13. Why does Jaromil walk through the world with a feeling of guilt?
(a) Because he is not living life to the fullest.
(b) Because he leaves Maman at home alone.
(c) Because he is not loyal to the principles that his father died for.
(d) Because he betrayed the only love of his life.

14. What happens as Maman sees her son's physicality?
(a) She begins to question her sexuality.
(b) Her tenderness increases.
(c) She becomes even more revolted by physicality.
(d) She begins to accept her own physicality.

15. What does the theme of the long poem reveal about Jaromil's thoughts?
(a) He longs for death.
(b) He is afraid he will never find true love.
(c) He is obsessed with a woman's body.
(d) He is afraid of a woman's body.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the artist paint two X's on Maman's face?

2. Why does Jaromil wait to show his poetry to the university girl?

3. How does Jaromil treat his dates with girls?

4. When do Jaromil's parents redecorate his room?

5. How does the artist show Maman that he is not interested in a relationship with her?

(see the answer keys)

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