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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 Valeria's mother blame her family's misfortunes on?

2. What does Riccardo say at dinner that starts an argument with Mirella?

3. What did Valeria's father do when he heard there would be war?

4. When the director calls the office, what is the reason he cannot come?

5. What is Riccardo's treatment of Marina like in front of Valeria?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Valeria say when Michele expresses worry that the threat of war will make the movie producers afraid?

2. What does Clara say about working women?

3. When does Valeria think her anxiety started? What does she attribute it to?

4. How does Valeria's mother behave at the Easter lunch?

5. What personal checks does the director ask Valeria to deal with, and how does she react?

6. How has Michele's opinion of Clara changed?

7. Why does Sandro say it is hard for Valeria to understand her daughter?

8. What does Clara tell Valeria about Michele's film?

9. What does Mirella say to Valeria about authority?

10. Why, thinks Valeria, can Michele not really see her anymore?

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

What is the role of Valeria's mother in the novel? Using specific examples from the text, show the author's intent behind this character.

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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