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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. According to the first confession the police hear in Section 7, who claims they had no prior knowledge about the murder until after it occurred?

2. Where does Captain Bellodi go on a leave of absence from the police force in Section 10?

3. What is the name of Captain Bellodi's childhood friend that he runs into in Section 10?

4. What kind of men do the characters at the beginning of Section 9 say they must find to clear Marchica of murder?

5. Who do the two men having a phone conversation in Section 8 believe the police should be more willing to work with?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the captain do after the mafia get away with murder in Section 10?

2. What is the nature of the confession the police show to Marchica in Section 6?

3. What is the captain's initial impression of the Grimoli Chiarchiaro?

4. What is the nature of the police's first interrogation of Pizzuco in Section 6 of the book?

5. How does Don Arena react when the police show him Marchica's confession in Section 9?

6. What is the nature of Dr. Baccarella's testimony in Section 10?

7. How does Don Arena react when police mention his daughter during his interrogation in Section 9?

8. What happens when a woman named Livia invites the captain and his friend to her house in Parma?

9. How do the police obtain a murder confession to show Marchica in Section 6?

10. How does Don Arena react to his police interrogation in Section 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The portrayal of corruption is an important theme found in the book that makes the reader question the similarities the police have with the mafia. Part 1.) How does the mafia use corruption as a means to an end in the book, namely in their business ventures? Part 2.) What is telling of the nature of the police based on their tendencies of corruption in the book? Part 3.) Is the corruption used by the police warranted given their desire to find justice or does this prove they are no more innocent than the mafia?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the symbolic meaning of the owl that is presented in the book. Why do you think the author chose to name his book "The Day of the Owl", especially considering the speech he makes about owls in Section 8 of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's portrayal of violence in the book. What role does violence play in the success of the mafia and what impact does this have on the nature of Sicilians in the book?

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