Estimated Reading Time: 17 min
Amerika MCQs
1. Why did Karl Rossmann’s parents send him to America?
A. To start a business
B. A maid seduced him
C. He failed at school
D. To find his uncle
2. What famous landmark did Karl first see when arriving in New York?
A. Empire State Building
B. Statue of Liberty
C. Brooklyn Bridge
D. Ellis Island
3. What item did Karl realize he had forgotten below deck before getting off the ship?
A. His suitcase
B. His calling-card
C. His umbrella
D. His passport
4. Why did Karl initially struggle to find his way back up to the deck?
A. A new passage was barred
B. The engine room was dark
C. He spoke no English
D. The ship was crowded
5. Who was the “enormous man” Karl found when he knocked on a small door?
A. The Chief Cashier
B. The Captain
C. The Stoker
D. Senior Engineer Schubal
6. What was found in the secret pocket his mother had sewn into Karl’s jacket lining?
A. Money
B. His passport
C. A calling-card
D. A small weapon
7. Who did Karl initially suspect of trying to steal his suitcase during the voyage?
A. The Stoker
B. Franz Butterbaum
C. The little Slovak
D. Irish dockworkers
8. Who was the Senior Engineer the Stoker complained bitterly about?
A. Butterbaum
B. Jakob
C. Schubal
D. Green
9. What did Karl suggest the Stoker should immediately do about his complaints?
A. Quit his job
B. Go see the Captain
C. Fight Schubal
D. File a report
10. How did the Stoker attempt to deal with a rat that crossed their path in the kitchen area?
A. Ignored it completely
B. Propelled it into its hole
C. Captured it for the Captain
D. Called a porter for help
11. Who was the man with the thin bamboo cane later revealed to be Karl’s uncle?
A. Mr. Green
B. State Councillor Edward Jakob
C. The Ship’s Officer
D. Chief Cashier
12. What was the maid’s name who seduced Karl and later had his son?
A. Klara Pollunder
B. Therese Berchtold
C. Johanna Brummer
D. Grete Mitzelbach
13. What was Karl’s child named after, according to the uncle?
A. The ship’s Captain
B. The Stoker
C. Uncle Jakob
D. Karl’s father
14. Who delivered the crucial letter from the maid to Karl’s uncle?
A. The Stoker
B. The cook from home
C. A business colleague
D. A solicitor
15. What did Karl’s uncle do to placate the Stoker immediately after their reunion?
A. Gave him a new job
B. Agreed to pay him extra
C. Nothing directly
D. Hugged him warmly
16. Where was Karl’s room located in relation to his uncle’s business concern?
A. Above it
B. Below ground
C. Across the street
D. In the harbour
17. What feature of his uncle’s desk reminded Karl of his homeland’s Christmas Fairs?
A. The dark wood
B. The adjustable compartments
C. The large size
D. The intricate carvings
18. Who was Karl’s primary teacher for English lessons in the mornings?
A. A young man from a trade school
B. Mr. Mak, the millionaire’s son
C. His uncle, Jakob
D. The chief cashier
19. What physical activity did Karl take up with Mr. Mak at 5:30 in the morning?
A. Swimming
B. Horse riding
C. Wrestling
D. Running
20. What modern convenience in his apartment did Karl enjoy that none of his schoolmates had?
A. Air conditioning
B. A service lift
C. A large shower/bathtub
D. A personal telephone
21. What did Karl’s uncle forbid him from doing immediately, regarding future jobs?
A. Working for his own company
B. Taking up engineering
C. Making commitments
D. Playing European music
22. What business type was Mr. Pollunder, the man who invited Karl away for the evening?
A. A lawyer
B. A ship captain
C. A banker
D. A property developer
23. Who was Klara, the girl Karl met at the country house?
A. Mr. Green’s daughter
B. Mr. Pollunder’s daughter
C. Karl’s relative
D. The English teacher’s wife
24. Who arrived uninvited, ruining the evening at the country house for Pollunder and Klara?
A. Mr. Mak
B. Mr. Green
C. Karl’s uncle
D. The Stoker
25. What was Klara’s specific relationship to Mr. Mak?
A. His sister
B. His fiancé
C. His riding student
D. His enemy
26. What did Klara do to Karl when he entered his room at the country house that shocked him?
A. She kissed him forcefully
B. She stole his suitcase
C. She wrestled him
D. She verbally insulted him
27. What time did Karl’s uncle specify in his letter that the bad news was to be delivered?
A. Dawn
B. 9 p.m.
C. Midnight
D. Next morning
28. What was the central reason Karl’s uncle gave for dismissing him in the letter?
A. Karl’s disobedience
B. Karl’s poor English grades
C. Karl’s lack of money
D. Karl’s bad family history
29. What item did Mr. Green also give Karl, besides the letter and his possessions?
A. Money for a taxi
B. A job reference
C. A ticket to San Francisco
D. A suit of clothes
30. Who did Mr. Green say brought Karl’s old suitcase and umbrella back to him?
A. Mr. Pollunder
B. A shipping lawyer
C. Chief Engineer Schubal
D. The Captain
31. What did Karl notice about the two men sharing the inn room that made him wary?
A. They had no luggage
B. They slept in their clothes
C. They were openly drinking
D. They looked too old
32. What was Karl most concerned about losing after his companions broke into his suitcase?
A. His pocket Bible
B. His money
C. His mother’s letters
D. The photograph of his parents
33. What did Karl’s two companions, Delamarche and Robinson, finally steal and eat?
A. Chocolate bars
B. Salami
C. Tinned fish
D. Cheese
34. Who did Karl finally convince to share his food supply from the hotel?
A. The Head Cook
B. The chauffeur
C. Delamarche and Robinson
D. Klara and Green
35. What was the original nationality of the Head Cook, Grete Mitzelbach?
A. Bohemian
B. Pomeranian
C. Austrian
D. Irish
36. What job did Karl accept at the Hotel Occidental?
A. Hotel Doctor
B. Chief Secretary
C. Lift-boy
D. Kitchen Helper
37. Who was the little typist/secretary at the hotel who confessed her fears to Karl?
A. Klara
B. Fanny
C. Therese
D. Brunelda
38. What was the name of the town where the Hotel Occidental was located?
A. New York
B. Butterford
C. Ramses
D. Clayton
39. What did Karl primarily study at night in the dormitory?
A. History
B. English business correspondence
C. Detective stories
D. Lift engineering
40. Why was Karl initially hesitant to accept the Head Cook’s offer of a room of his own?
A. He wanted to save money
B. He feared the envy of other lift-boys
C. He wanted to stay near Therese
D. He preferred the dormitory noise
41. Who arrived at the Hotel Occidental looking heavily intoxicated and needing Karl’s help?
A. Mr. Green
B. Delamarche
C. Robinson
D. Schubal
42. Who was the supervisor who complained Karl did not greet him properly?
A. Head Waiter Isbary
B. The Head Porter
C. Lift-boy Giacomo
D. Mr. Mak
43. What was the stated reason the Head Waiter Isbary dismissed Karl?
A. Stealing hotel supplies
B. Insubordination
C. Dereliction of duty
D. Failing his English test
44. What did Karl’s money, which he had promised to Robinson, mostly consist of?
A. Bank notes
B. His life savings
C. Nightly tips
D. Gold coins
45. What was the name of the large singer Delamarche and Robinson served in the high apartment?
A. Klara
B. Brunelda
C. Fanny
D. Lina
46. How did Delamarche try to prevent Karl from escaping Brunelda’s apartment?
A. He hid all of Karl’s clothes
B. He physically fought Karl
C. He locked the door and took the key
D. He convinced Karl to stay
47. Who was the student next door who worked as a salesman and studied at night?
A. Mendel
B. Mak
C. Isbary
D. Pollunder
48. Why did Karl decide not to leave Delamarche’s apartment that night, despite his anger?
A. He feared the police outside
B. The student advised him to stay
C. He was too wounded to run
D. Brunelda begged him to remain
49. What key phrase on the Oklahoma Theatre poster was most attractive to Karl?
A. All welcome.
B. High salary.
C. Actors only.
D. Unlimited travel.
50. What job role did Karl finally secure with the Theatre of Oklahoma’s recruitment team?
A. Actor
B. Engineer
C. Lift-boy
D. Technical Worker
Brief Overview
Amerika, also known as The Man Who Disappeared, is an unfinished novel by Franz Kafka. It follows the bewildering misadventures of a young European immigrant in the United States.
The story begins with Karl Rossmann, who is sent to America by his parents because a maid seduced him and he had a child. Upon arrival, he sees the Statue of Liberty. He quickly meets his wealthy uncle, Jakob, who takes him in.
Karl lives well in the city, learning and riding horses. However, Karl is dismissed by his strict uncle after an act of disobedience.
Karl then travels with two tramps, Delamarche and Robinson. They are cruel and steal his belongings. Karl finds a new job as a hard-working lift-boy at the massive Hotel Occidental. He is unfortunately fired again after the drunken Robinson visits him and causes trouble.
Karl becomes a servant for Delamarche and the large singer Brunelda. This new life is harsh and requires much painful work. Karl sees a poster for the Theatre of Oklahoma.
The poster promises, “All welcome.” Karl quickly applies for the job and is hired as a technical worker. Karl ends the novel starting a long train journey to Oklahoma, holding a sliver of hope for a new beginning.
