View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the janitor's son, why do policemen like to read poetry?
(a) They enjoy something delicate after a hard day's work.
(b) They monitor it to make sure the poets aren't writing anything against the state.
(c) They want to be connected to the common people.
(d) They are proving that they are not like the cutthroat policemen of the former regime.

2. Why does the newspaper editor not want to publish Jaromil's poems?
(a) The editor thinks they are poorly written.
(b) The newspaper gets submissions from a dozen new poets a day.
(c) The editor disagrees with Jaromil's Marxist beliefs which are expressed in several poems.
(d) Jaromil is rude when he asks about the poems he had submitted.

3. What is Jaromil's opinion of the redhead's family?
(a) They provide vital support for the girl.
(b) They tie to girl to the past rather than freeing her for the future.
(c) They prevent her from being completely immersed in his love.
(d) They constitute the one reason the girl will not elope with JaromiL.

4. Why does the girl come to see the man rather than going home?
(a) The thought of going home depresses her.
(b) She never wants to go home again.
(c) None of her family members are still alive.
(d) He is the only person she can trust anymore.

5. Returning home from the police station, what does Jaromil find?
(a) An invitation from the cinematographer to attend a party.
(b) A letter of praise from the janitor's son about his poetry.
(c) A letter from the redhead breaking up with him.
(d) A letter from his uncle who was sent to prison several years earlier.

6. At Jaromil's sick bed, what words link Maman most closely to him, in her mind?
(a) "Everything he's ever done has been in the interests of the working class."
(b) "Are you in such a hurry to leave me?"
(c) "You're a poet, and I am so happy for you. . .".
(d) "I don't want him to look down on us."

7. According to one of the party guests, why has Jaromil stopped talking to the artist?
(a) The friendship would have stood in the way of his career.
(b) Jaromil's art deserved better instruction than this man could give.
(c) Jaromil saw that the man was a capitalist discontent.
(d) The artist was involved in spy campaigns.

8. Why does the lyrical poet make his poetry striking?
(a) He speaks out of powerful places in History.
(b) Only striking poetry will be accepted by the readers.
(c) His subject matter demands a strong voice.
(d) His life is uneventful.

9. Who was the first man the redheaded girl slept with?
(a) A middle-aged man in the city.
(b) A childhood friend.
(c) A fellow student at the university.
(d) An older man in her village.

10. How long has it been since the middle-aged man saw the girl who rang his doorbell?
(a) Three years.
(b) One year.
(c) Three months.
(d) Eight years.

11. What is the redhead's reaction to Jaromil's poetry printed in the newspaper?
(a) She did not understand the poem.
(b) She thought he was wasting his time.
(c) She was thrilled to have a famous boyfriend.
(d) She had not even known he wrote poetry.

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

13. How old is Jaromil when he catches pneumonia?
(a) Twenty.
(b) Nineteen.
(c) Twenty-six.
(d) Twenty-four.

14. What had the middle-aged man done when the girl was arrested?
(a) Tore up her picture and called her an enemy of the future.
(b) Pleaded with a judge to free her.
(c) Gotten another girlfriend.
(d) Tried his best to rescue her.

15. The night of the party, what does Maman realize about the cinematographer?
(a) The girl would be an excellent daughter-in-law.
(b) She loves the girl more than Jaromil does.
(c) The girl is a Communist spy.
(d) The girl will scheme up anything to get what she wants.

Short Answer Questions

1. While Jaromil is answering questions about love and socialism, what is he most conscious of?

2. Why is it important to Jaromil that he die by fire?

3. What contest does the party guest suggest to Jaromil?

4. What happens during the second half of Jaromil's poetry recitation?

5. Once Jaromil arrives at the party hosted by the cinematographer, how does he feel about his clothes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 864 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample