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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Useppe love newspapers?

2. What item do Ida and Useppe acquire in 1947?

3. What does Ida do, for the first time, in 1946?

4. How does Davide die?

5. Ida gets a job, in 1944, teaching Italian to soldiers from what country?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Ida tries to put Useppe in school?

2. Why was Davide alienated from his family?

3. What does Davide do, immediately after the war ends?

4. What does Davide say about Jesus, during his tavern lecture?

5. How does Ida feel about doctors?

6. How do Useppe and Ida react when the Allied forces enter Rome in 1944?

7. In what ways does Ida sacrifice her own well-being for that of her son, in 1944?

8. How does Useppe's behavior change after seeing the disturbing newspaper photos, and his exposure to public school?

9. What relationship develops between Bella and Useppe in 1947?

10. How does Ida feel about Useppe's frequent outings alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ida often leaves Useppe home alone, either because she has to go to work, or because she is too ashamed to be seen with him. What effect do the long solitary hours have on Useppe? Does he seem bothered by the solitude? Why or why not? How might a child of a different disposition react to his situation? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The atrocities committed by the Nazis are hard to comprehend, particularly because they occurred on such a massive scale. How does this novel help to humanize the victims, and enable readers to understand what they went through? Does this novel change readers' perceptions of the Holocaust and World War II? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Davide feels compelled to lecture to the people in the tavern, though they do not receive him well, and do their best to ignore him. Why does he feel that he needs to proselytize when no one is interested? How does Davide respond when they fail to listen to him, and why? What topics does he touch upon, and how does he feel about them? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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