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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. According to Riccardo, what is Sandro's reputation?

2. Where did Valeria once go on vacation?

3. What does Valeria plan to open on Christmas Eve?

4. When Michele nearly catches her with the diary, what does Valeria say she was writing?

5. Along with the red coat and tartan skirt, what does Valeria buy for Mirella?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Valeria remember doing at Mirella's age?

2. What happens when the family tries to find a replacement tuxedo for Riccardo?

3. Why would the notebook be taken from Valeria if the family found it?

4. What is Riccardo's attitude toward his father?

5. How does Michele react to the gossip about Mirella?

6. What happens when Valeria first gets home with the notebook?

7. Where would Michele like to go? Where would Valeria like to go?

8. What does Valeria remember telling the children during the war?

9. What does Valeria think would happen if she let her family know that she had taken a quick nap or gone for a walk?

10. What happens when Valeria sees a florist's delivery boy at the building's entrance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the understanding of freedom in the novel? Who has it? When is it promised? How important is it?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the figure of the mother-in-law in the novel. How is this figure depicted in Valeria's memories of her own mother-in-law and in her relationship with Marina?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the importance of clothing in the novel. Choose 1-3 examples and discuss their significance within the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 672 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample