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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Alan's life being compared to in the sentence, "It seemed that his life was being clarified, the sediment was drifting down" (39)?
(a) A water treatment facility.
(b) A glass or chalice.
(c) A science experiment.
(d) A liquid like water or wine.

2. What technique is used in the sentence, "On the curtained upper floors the legs of countesses uncoiled, slithering on the sheets like a serpent" (38)?
(a) Metonymy.
(b) Sibilance.
(c) Metaphor.
(d) Personification.

3. What is the narrator implying about Brenda's discussion of her children with the comment "The first act was over.... Now came the plot" (37)?
(a) Brenda is not being honest about what great kids her daughters are.
(b) Brenda was just using the discussion of her children to introduce her real objective.
(c) Brenda is no longer interested in her children--they are part of a past she wants to leave behind.
(d) Brenda has something she is afraid to tell Frank and is killing time by talking about her children.

4. Which word is twice used to describe the way Eda looks?
(a) Angelic.
(b) Mischievous.
(c) Radiant.
(d) Pure.

5. How long have Frank and Alan planned to be in Europe?
(a) 1 week.
(b) 3 months.
(c) 3 weeks.
(d) 1 month.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is ironic about the setting around Frank when he calls Eda about going to Florence?

2. What does the detail of Eda's trembling in Frank's hotel room indicate?

3. Why is Brenda heading to Rome?

4. What kind of car is Frank driving in the opening of the story's second part?

5. What does Alan notice about Frank when Frank gets out of the car with Eda after they drop her off?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Brenda suggest to Frank about New York, and what is it implied that she is hinting about?

2. What do Frank and Brenda fight about when it is time for her to leave Italy, and how does Alan become involved in the argument?

3. What does Frank decide not to tell Alan about his conversation with Eda, and why?

4. In the story's closing paragraphs, what is Alan thinking about, and why?

5. What is Eda's reaction to Frank's explanation of the situation with Alan, and how does Frank treat her decision?

6. What happens between Frank and Eda in his hotel room?

7. In the hotel bar in Spoleto, what does Alan tell Frank about Europe, and what is Frank's response?

8. What does the narrative imply happens between Alan and Eda on the night before the story ends, and what is Alan's reaction to it in the morning?

9. What joke does Brenda make about Italians during the conversation about espresso?

10. Whom do Frank and Alan meet in Arezzo, and how do they meet her?

(see the answer keys)

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