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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. The passion for ______________ allows Italians to glide over life's surface leaving the ugly part as untouched as possible.

2. What was part of one's Italian education?

3. What does the author admit about most Italian girls and young women?

4. To what other kind of music do visitors listen?

5. Cardinal de Rohan of France believed that Cagliostro could do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first purpose of having life be like a show?

2. What did author Henry James say regarding the pleasure of Italy?

3. What about Italian life draws visitors?

4. What does the author say about the draw of the weather for visitors. What do you think about this?

5. Why is it believed that both Casanova and Cagliostro can be found in every Italian man?

6. How is Benito Mussolini an example of Italian showmanship gone wrong?

7. How is Italian life like a play or show?

8. In what activities to visitors take part?

9. What is the third evil spirit? Describe it.

10. What is the stereotype of Italians?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sicily is an important faction in the geography of Italy.

Part 1) Describe Sicily. Why might it be so different from the rest of Italy?

Part 2) How might these differences add to the conflict existing between the Northerners and Southerners?

Part 3) How does Sicily's reputation foreshadow the development of the Mafia? is this reputation good? Why or why not? Would a Sicilian think it was good? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Foreigners have come to Italy since ancient times.

Part 1) Describe these ancient travels. Why was it so difficult?

Part 2) What is the importance of Rome? How does this continue to draw visitors?

Part 3) To what other nations might one compare Italy? How? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The Battle of Fornovo was very humiliating.

Part 1) What is the Battle of Fornovo? Why was it humiliating?

Part 2) How did the outcome of this battle affect Italians and their culture?

Part 3) How do the results of this battle still affect Italians today?

(see the answer keys)

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