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. What is the collective title for Arnheim and Diotima's activities?

2. Which countries does Diotima specifically dislike?

3. How old is Gerda?

4. Who are Gerda's parents?

5. What is the General's response to Ulrich's assertion that he values intellect too highly in Chapter 85?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Clarisse do in Chapter 82 that embarrasses Ulrich?

2. How did Soliman meet Rachel?

3. What are some of the ideological debates going on in the Collateral Campaign in Chapter 89?

4. What information is revealed about Arnheim's family and past in Chapters 89 and 90?

5. What point does the author make in Chapter 77, using an ancient Grecian philosopher as an example to back up his argument?

6. What is Ulrich and Gerda's relationship like as explained in Chapter 74?

7. What situation regarding an invitation develops in Chapter 80?

8. What do Ulrich and General Stumm say about Diotima in Chapter 85?

9. What is the difference in the way rich people and poor people view wealth, according to the narrator's statements in Chapter 92?

10. Who is Count Leinsdorf, and how is he described in Chapter 76?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anti-Semitism is an important concept in this novel. Which of the main characters were at some point affected by anti-Semitism? How did it affect them? How did it change their outlook or their position in life?

Essay Topic 2

All of the main characters are involved in politics on some level. What does the Collateral Campaign do? What is its goal? What is the difference between practical and ideological politics? Which is more useful, and why? What are some of the major political issues at hand, and how do the main characters feel about them? What is each character's role in influencing politics on a local and national level?

Essay Topic 3

Ulrich is described by Clarisse in terms of the novel's title. He is the "man without qualities." What does Clarisse mean by this? Why is Ulrich described this way? Is it possible for someone to be completely without qualities? Do you agree with this description of Ulrich?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 969 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample