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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. Where does Brunetti go to meet Santore?

2. What is learned about the victim? What word best describes the man's activities?

3. How many times had Wellauer been married?

4. What is the character's first name?

5. What is the estimated number of people that had been backstage at the theater?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the content of the conversation between Brunetti and Paola?

2. Brunetti becomes fascinated with one element in Lynch's apartment. What is it and why is Brunetti intrigued by its presence?

3. Who does Brunetti bump into at the party? Why is he surprised to see this particular guest?

4. Discuss at least a part of Signora Elizabeth Wellauer's history.

5. Brunetti learns some background information on Wellauer's life. List at least two important facts learned about Wellauer.

6. What information is gathered from Wellauer's house? Who presents the information at Questura?

7. Discuss the scene in which Brunetti meets Santore. What information is gained about Santore?

8. Paola introduces Brunetti to which one of her old college friends? What is the purpose of the introduction?

9. What distressing news is received by Brunetti regarding potential suspects?

10. What was the argument that occurred between Santore and Wellauer before the opera? What was the cause of the argument?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the concept of revenge as it is used in the book. Focus on the relationship between Elizabeth and Helmut Wellauer. What is the couple's relationship? What tarnished it? What did Elizabeth do to get revenge? Did it work? How did Helmut return the revenge? Which was most effective? Choose one other example from the book and examine it in detail.

Essay Topic 2

Write a 500 word essay on the following topic: Examine the sense of place used by Leon. Describe the locations mentioned in the book and how the story would suffer if the author would move it to a different location. What is the influence of old Europe in the story? How does the structure and culture of Venice play into the characters' thoughts and behavior? In what ways are the Venetians more traditional than people in the United States? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

In at least two cases, Leon focuses on the loyalty of family and loved ones. Why is the topic important? Who is affected and why? How intense is loyalty regarding Clemenza Santina, Brett Lynch, Flavia Petrelli, Paola and her parents? Explain how loyalty plays a large part in the lives of these and other characters. How might the story be different if the loyalty was not such a strong element? Explain.

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