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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 is the answer to #14 in the area of Porto Sant'Andrea?

2. Who are the Jews under the protection of before the war seemingly ends?

3. Rivka says that if the Jews have something that may be valuable, the ____ will take it.

4. Duno becomes angry that his father will not fight the ____________.

5. Schramm began to believe that money should not be spent on those who are _________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Angelo Soncini's baby sister?

2. What kind of mother was Klara Hitler to her son, Adolf Hitler?

3. What does Santino tell the Blums to do in order to save themselves from the Germans?

4. What is Doctor Werner Schramm looking for in the small village of Porto Sant' Andrea?

5. Describe Renzo's history with the Italian Royal Air Force.

6. What does Maria Avani do in order to distract the soldiers from noticing their ignition wires from their motorcycles are being stolen?

7. What does Tomitz come to tell those at the Rabbi's house?

8. Describe the character of Lidia Leoni.

9. Describe the former life of the Brosslers.

10. Why does Werner think his mother committed suicide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What's most interesting about this novel is the contradiction in beliefs and in the results of those beliefs. For example, Schramm is guilty of horrible things, but so is Renzo.

Part 1: What are Schramm's crimes within this novel and before the time of the novel?

Part 2: What are Renzo's crimes within this novel?

Part 3: How are these characters to be compared in terms of their guilt? Is one character more guiltier than the other? Why? Why not?

Essay Topic 2

Renzo is a fascinating character, always taking another side in the conflict, trying to remain away from the politics of the time.

Part 1: What are some of the roles Renzo plays within the conflict?

Part 2: Why doesn't Renzo take a side when it comes to the political arena?

Part 3: Does Renzo's noncommittal seem to be a good thing or a bad thing for others in the story? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The love relationships in this story are a little muddled and a little confused. There doesn't really seem to be any time for love during war.

Part 1: Describe the relationship between Mirella and Renzo.

Part 2: Describe the relationship between Mirella and Iacopo.

Part 3: What does the author seem to be saying about love in this book?

(see the answer keys)

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