View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Kostka believe Ludvik is living, figuratively?

2. Ludvik sees an old friend at the simulated baptism. What is the old friend's name?

3. How does the narrator of part five kill time before meeting Helena?

4. What is engraved on the silver pendant Helena wears?

5. How old was Kostka's child when he was made to decide his stance on religion in the Party?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event called Kostka's Christianity into question by the administration at the University?

2. How does Jaroslav imagine his mother?

3. Describe Kostka's analysis of Ludvik - what does Kostka feel Ludvik's deepest motives are?

4. How does Jaroslav feel about Ludvik when they see each other after Ludvik's sentence at Ostrava?

5. Describe the way Ludvik is successful in his seduction of Helena.

6. Why does Ludvik say that women don't talk about their husbands to their lovers?

7. Describe the difference between Ludvik and Kostka's perceived relationship, according to Kostka.

8. What does Christian living mean to Kostka?

9. Why did Zemanek read Fucik at Ludvik's hearing?

10. Describe Jaroslav's dream at the beginning of part four.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What makes Lucie afraid of physical intimacy and how is it overcome?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the time Ludvik spent in Ostrava. How was he as a person before he went? What major events happened there? How did he change?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the altercation between Jaroslav and Vlasta at the end of "The Joke". How does their fight reflect their whole relationship?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 689 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample