The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas — Questions and answers

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What caused the death of Brás Cubas?

Choices

  1. A sudden illness
  2. Old age
  3. Pneumonia ✓
  4. An unspecified ailment

Answer: Pneumonia

From page 1

Where was Brás Cubas sent after his infatuation with Marcela?

Choices

  1. To Coimbra ✓
  2. To Engenho Novo
  3. To Rio
  4. To a country estate

Answer: To Coimbra

From page 2

In Coimbra, what did Brás Cubas prioritize over diligent study of legal texts?

Choices

  1. Writing philosophical treatises
  2. Preparing for a political career
  3. Intense study of Justinian's Institutes
  4. Mingling in salons and pursuing local beauties ✓

Answer: Mingling in salons and pursuing local beauties

From page 3

To whom was Virgília promised when Brás Cubas returned to Rio?

Choices

  1. Marcela
  2. An unknown politician
  3. Lobo Neves ✓
  4. His father

Answer: Lobo Neves

From page 4

Who facilitated the secret meetings between Brás Cubas and Virgília?

Choices

  1. Lobo Neves
  2. Dona Plácida ✓
  3. His father
  4. Marcela

Answer: Dona Plácida

From page 5

What was Lobo Neves doing while Brás Cubas held a minor political post?

Choices

  1. Flourishing in the political arena ✓
  2. Engaging in a clandestine affair
  3. Observing from the sidelines
  4. Giving uninspired speeches

Answer: Flourishing in the political arena

From page 6

What event marked the end of Brás Cubas's affair with Virgília?

Choices

  1. A tearful scene in the garden
  2. Brás Cubas pursuing other romantic attachments
  3. A dramatic confrontation between them
  4. Lobo Neves receiving a provincial appointment and their departure from Rio ✓

Answer: Lobo Neves receiving a provincial appointment and their departure from Rio

From page 7

What was the name of the philosophical system Brás Cubas conceived?

Choices

  1. Nihilism
  2. Transcendentalism
  3. Humanitismo ✓
  4. Existentialism

Answer: Humanitismo

From page 8

What happened to Brás Cubas's mind as his body weakened from pneumonia?

Choices

  1. It became confused and disoriented
  2. It became clearer or more vivid in its wanderings ✓
  3. It was filled with panic and fear
  4. It focused solely on his philosophical system

Answer: It became clearer or more vivid in its wanderings

From page 9

What did Brás Cubas conclude was the ultimate 'profit' of his life?

Choices

  1. The absence of a negative balance ✓
  2. His political prominence
  3. His philosophical theory, Humanitismo
  4. His children and heirs

Answer: The absence of a negative balance

From page 10