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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Sabina feel about Franz having told his wife of their affair?

2. Why did Franz like music?

3. After she returned home to her small Czech town, how did Tereza re-enter Tomas's life?

4. What did Marie-Claude do to spend her time while in the hospital?

5. What did Tereza purchase every morning for Karenin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Franz's weakness.

2. In Part 2, Chapter 29, what were Tereza's first thought when Tomas had come back to Prague because of her?

3. Do you think that Tomas and Tereaz met by chance or by fate?

4. What does the word "woman" represent for Franz?

5. Describe Franz's love for Sabina.

6. In Part 1, Chapter 3, what did Tomas struggle with after Tereza returned to her small Czech town?

7. What is Sabina's views on conflict?

8. Why does Franz take part in every possible demonstration in Paris?

9. What type of daughter was Tereza? What was her lifestyle like?

10. For Franz, what is music?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

On a number of occasions, Tomas questions his relationship with Tereza.

1. How many times does Tomas question his relationship with Tereza? Use specific examples that include the when, where and why?

2. Had Tomas not followed Tereza back to Prague, what type of lifestyle would he have pursued?

3. Tomas dreams of a woman he has not yet met. She is the one for Tomas. What kind of woman would have been more compatible with Tomas? What prevents Tomas from letting go of Tereza to find a happier relationship?

Essay Topic 2

When making decisions, Tereza and Tomas do not really look long term.

1. By retiring into the country, does Tomas and Tereza draw forth their death? Could they have subconsciously wanted to die? If so, what would each of their reasons have been?

2. Had they not died, could they have had a happy relationship? Why or why not?

3. Why didn't Tomas refuse to go to the country? Given the political situation of the country, did Tomas and Tereza have any other option? Overall, would you consider Tereza selfish in her actions? Cite 3 examples.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the three options to write about:

1. Kandera compares the behavior of animals to that of humans. Cite 3 examples where Kandera compares animals to humans and discuss his views on this subject.

2. Kandera questions why humans don't have the selfless love that exists between people and animals. Tereza, for instance, has a better love for her dog than for Tomas. Cite 3 examples of how Tereza's love for her dog Karenin is better than her love for Tomas. What actions would have made her love unconditional?

3. Tereza treats the animals she comes across well. Would she have made a good mother? How do you think her childhood experience might have influenced her relationship with her children, had she had any? Would she have been a happier more fulfilled woman had she had children?

(see the answer keys)

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