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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 4, once the Nazis took over a country, how did they treat the printing presses?
(a) They took over the presses to print large volumes of propaganda.
(b) They destroyed the printing presses and offices.
(c) Almost nothing was printed in that country's language.
(d) Printing continued as normal.

2. Russian engineers and doctors ________ Western innovations.
(a) Ignore.
(b) Sell.
(c) Copy.
(d) Anticipate.

3. According to Milosz, nations which have recently come under communist rule feel excitement at first, and then feel what emotion?
(a) Trepidation for their unknown future.
(b) Sadness for the loss of their autonomy.
(c) That they've been caught in a trap like mice.
(d) That they've been lied to about the government.

4. When did Alpha became a more religious writer?
(a) When he became more fully involved in the church.
(b) When he scoffed all Catholic writers.
(c) When he supported the underground Catholic church.
(d) When he turned his back on Christianity.

5. As explained in Chapter 1, if a man asks the questions to which the absurd leads him, he reaches what emotional state?
(a) Hatred of himself.
(b) Hatred of the bourgeois.
(c) Hatred of the proletariat.
(d) Despair for society.

6. Taking joy that one's life occurs within the stream of life is what type of Ketman?
(a) Ethical Ketman.
(b) Professional Ketman.
(c) Aesthetic Ketman.
(d) The Ketman of revolutionary purity.

7. Why did Alpha eventually become a communist?
(a) He had no other choice.
(b) The party threatened his life.
(c) He thought it was best for his family.
(d) He was tricked into it.

8. The Multi-Bing pills are most tempting to what type of person?
(a) A merchant.
(b) A worker.
(c) A peasant.
(d) An intellectual.

9. In the 1940s, once they were freed of the past, how did the Eastern countries think?
(a) They had no choice but the New Faith.
(b) They regretted their choice.
(c) They returned to a feudalist system.
(d) They modified capitalism to fit their needs.

10. Harboring contempt for Russia is what type of Ketman?
(a) Professional Ketman.
(b) Ethical Ketman.
(c) Sceptical Ketman.
(d) National Ketman.

11. When a man looks to the West, why does he not have clear insight?
(a) His emotions interfere.
(b) He cannot be realistic.
(c) Life in the East has drastically shaped his view.
(d) The party center obscures the truth.

12. In Milosz's experience, how does a man change under communist rule?
(a) He asks questions so he can understand the new government.
(b) He gains new habits slowly and painfully.
(c) He gains new habits quickly and asks no questions.
(d) He sees the new rule as unnatural.

13. Chapter 2 opens with the picture of the Eastern communists looking to the West with what emotion/s?
(a) A mixture of hope and despair.
(b) Unabashed hope.
(c) Disillusionment.
(d) Anger and confusion.

14. In what city did Alpha the Moralist live?
(a) Vilna.
(b) Warsaw.
(c) Berlin.
(d) Marek.

15. Fifty years of re-education within the party can change entire nations so that they become what?
(a) Sly and vicious.
(b) Fearful.
(c) Docile and obedient.
(d) Utterly subservient.

Short Answer Questions

1. Alpha became a moral authority, as he had dreamed, because of his work in what place?

2. In the eyes of the besieged Pole, what is the only poetry that will last?

3. In Chapter 4, who is Alpha, the Moralist?

4. In Witkiewicz's novel, the characters ultimately become:

5. Milosz admits that he has great admiration for what people or force?

(see the answer keys)

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