Entrance Examinations (Bc.) – Russian Language and Literature

Applicants will be asked a total of three questions: 1) a question testing their knowledge of Russian language (level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages being the minimum level required), 2) a question testing their knowledge of Russian literature, 3) a question testing their knowledge of Russian history. All questions will be based on a reading list which the applicant must present at the oral entrance examination and which should include not only the works from our recommended reading list, but also other publications (non-fiction and fiction) of the applicant’s choice related to the given sets of examination topics.

Sample questions for the oral entrance examination:

Russian Language Skills

(at least level A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) – possible conversation topics:

1. Your motivation to study Russian language and literature – Почему вы решили изучать русский язык и литературу?
2. The usefulness of studying Russian and other languages – Считаете ли вы полезным изучение русского языка и других иностранных языков?
3. Introducing yourself, your interests and hobbies – Раскажите о себе, о своих интересах и хобби.
4. Work, occupation, studies – Где вы учились, где вы сейчас учитесь или работаете?

1. Travel – Любите ли вы путешествовать и какие страны вы уже успели посетить?
2. Culture and nature in the Czech Republic –  Какие места вы показали бы своим друзьям-иностранцам в Чехии?
3. Culture and nature in Russia – Какие интересные места вы знаете и хотели бы посетить в России?
4. Speaking about your hometown – Расскажите о своем родном городе и его достопримечательностях.
5. Your favourite Russian and non-Russian writers – Какие ваши любимые писатели – представители русской и мировой литературы?
6. Your favourite Russian films and music – Какие русские фильмы и песни вы любите?

Russian literature:

1. Basic characteristics of medieval literature.
2. General characteristics of Russian romanticism.
3. The works of A. S. Pushkin.
4. Representatives of Russian realism.
5. The works of N. V. Gogol.
6. The works of L. N. Tolstoy.
7. The works of F. M. Dostoevsky.
8. Key representatives of 19^th century Russian poetry.
9. Russian theatre and key authors.
10. The works of A. P. Chekhov.
11. Russian symbolism and modernism.
12. Characteristics of Russian avant-garde.
13. Russian literature after 1917.
14. Characteristics of social realism.
15. Russian prose between the two world wars.
16. The works of M. A. Bulgakov.
17. Authors of Russian emigration literature.
18. Russian authors who won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
19. The works and importance of A. I. Solzhenitsyn.
20. Prominent authors in contemporary Russian literature.

History of Russia:

1. Kievan Rus’.
2. Muscovite Russia.
3. Russia under the rule of Peter the Great.
4. The reign of Catherine II.
5. Russia in the first half of the 19^th century.
6. Russia at the beginning of the 20^th century.
7. The Russian revolution in 1917.
8. Stalinism.
9. Cold War and the Soviet Union.
10. The era of N. S. Khrushchev.
11. Perestroika and M. S. Gorbachev.
12. Russia after 1991.
13. Basic geographic characteristics of the Russian Federation.
14. Key political figures and parties in contemporary Russia.
15. The structure of state power bodies in contemporary Russia (compared to the political system of the Czech Republic).
16. The Russian Federation and its relations with the post-Soviet countries.
17. Russian minorities in the post-Soviet countries.
18. National minorities in the Russian Federation.
19. Russia’s position in contemporary international politics.
20. Czech-Russian relations in the 19^th and 20^th century.

The recommended reading list for the entrance examination can be accessed here.