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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. How does Zeno identify Giovanni Malfenti?

2. Who managed Zeno's father's business affairs?

3. Why is Zeno keeping a journal?

4. What did the doctor say when Zeno asked him whether there was any hope?

5. What does Zeno describe as his second trouble?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Zeno describe Ada's appearance?

2. What does the doctor apologize for in the preface? Why?

3. How did Zeno escape from the sanatorium?

4. Where does Zeno get his first cigarette, and how does he describe the first cigarettes he ever smoked?

5. How does Zeno describe his future father-in-law?

6. Why does Zeno say it was difficult for him to spend time with his father?

7. How does Zeno say his future father-in-law treated him?

8. Why did Zeno marry Augusta?

9. What did Zeno write about marriage and Mother Nature?

10. Did Zeno's father regain consciousness and return to normal before he died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Zeno questions whether he is good in this book.

1) Is Zeno good?

2) What does it mean to be good or bad?

3) Can a person be all good or all bad?

4) Does Zeno ever decide whether he is good or not?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Zeno's desire to be liked.

1) Why is it important to Zeno that others like him even if he doesn't really like them?

2) How does Zeno attempt to make people like him?

3) Does anyone genuinely like Zeno for whom he is and in spite of his flaws?

4) Does Zeno like himself?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Zeno's frequent lies and made up stories.

1) Why does Zeno make up lies to entertain others?

2) Do the lies entertain him as well?

3) How do the lies make him feel?

4) Do his made-up stories achieve the effect he desires?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample