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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Maman returns home early one evening while the redhead is visiting, what does she pretend is happening?
(a) She is sick and needs Jaromil to take care of her.
(b) The redhead is having cramps and needs her help.
(c) Jaromil is disobeying a house rule and the redhead must leave.
(d) She is having a heart attack in the kitchen.

2. Why is Jaromil jealous of the redhead?
(a) He suspects that she is cheating.
(b) She will not tell him where she got the flowers on the table.
(c) She receives letters from a man he does not know.
(d) Because her doctor sees her body.

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

4. What disguise does Jaromil use for treating the redhead with cruelty?
(a) Concern for their relationship.
(b) Concern for the girl.
(c) Wounded love.
(d) Anger at Maman.

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

6. While walking with the redhead one day, whom does Jaromil see?
(a) The janitor's son.
(b) Maman and her new lover.
(c) The brunette he had fallen in love with long ago.
(d) Maman and the beautiful cinematographer.

7. While watching the beautiful cinematographer on the bus, what does Jaromil realize?
(a) That he has fallen in love with her.
(b) That he will never love anyone but Maman.
(c) How ugly the redhead is.
(d) How little his poetry is worth compared to the cinematographer.

8. What makes Maman think that Jaromil is actually becoming like a son of Apollo?
(a) He has begun writing beautiful poems, not poems of death.
(b) His face is becoming beautiful and godlike rather than coarse.
(c) He has taken down the picture of his father.
(d) He values the Greek gods more than passing political trend.

9. Why is there silence at the beginning of the question-and-answer time following the recitation?
(a) The poets are professional and know what the questions will be.
(b) No one knows how to begin.
(c) No one cares about the poems enough to ask questions.
(d) Everyone is respectfully waiting for the silver-haired poet to speak first.

10. Once Jaromil arrives at the party hosted by the cinematographer, how does he feel about his clothes?
(a) His clothes are a few years out of style.
(b) He is casual and sloppy.
(c) His clothes are at the height of fashion.
(d) He is overdressed and stuffy.

11. Why is Jaromil not jealous when he considers the redhead in the hands of the policemen?
(a) Once she is gone, he no longer cares about her.
(b) He has deep faith that the policemen will never hurt her.
(c) He knows that her love for him will never waver.
(d) She is his creation and therefore belongs only to him.

12. Symbolically, what role does Maman want to play in Jaromil's life?
(a) The source of eternal light.
(b) An all-encompassing embrace.
(c) A large meadow.
(d) A guardian angel.

13. Just outside the prison, why does the girl hate to see the horses and riders?
(a) She thinks they are out to capture people, possibly her.
(b) She has always been afraid of horses.
(c) She takes it as a bad omen.
(d) She feels far below them and pitiful by comparison.

14. What happens when a classmate asks Jaromil about the redhead?
(a) He replies that she is his cousin.
(b) He replies that she is the love of his life.
(c) He replies that she is a casual acquaintance.
(d) He refuses to answer the question, out of embarrassment.

15. According to Jaromil, how do socialism and love interact?
(a) Socialism stifles love.
(b) They are complete opposites.
(c) Socialism comes from the root of love.
(d) Socialism allows for true love to exist.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the cinematographer's apartment, what happens?

2. At Jaromil's sick bed, what words link Maman most closely to him, in her mind?

3. After the girl rejects the man's caresses, what does she wish he were?

4. According to Kundera, why is lyricism immature?

5. Why was Maman initially pleased to think about meeting Jaromil's girlfriend?

(see the answer keys)

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