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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. What does Mirella want her parents to buy her with their Christmas bonus money?

2. What had Michele planned to do instead of remaining at the bank?

3. What has Clara Poletti become since her divorce?

4. When Riccardo was a child, what did he want to be when he grew up?

5. What will Mirella's schedule be at work?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Do Michele or Riccardo help Valeria when she is working in the kitchen?

4. In Valeria's opinion, why does Michele support Riccardo in his plan to go to Argentina?

5. What is Michele's father like? How does he behave on Mirella's birthday?

6. After hearing about Mirella being seen coming out of Sandro's building, what does Valeria read about in the paper?

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

8. How does Valeria react when kissed or complimented in front of the children? How do her children react?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the ideas of generational difference that are expressed in the novel. Discuss them in detail, explaining how they are demonstrated within the plot.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Explore the theme of sacrifice in the novel. Select three different characters and explain how their experiences express this theme.

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This section contains 678 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample