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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. After Easter, what new element does Valeria notice in her relationship with Guido?

2. What movie scene does Valeria react strongly to?

3. What does Valeria whisper to herself as she walks home after talking with the director?

4. What do Michele and the children do on Sundays?

5. What does Valeria's mother blame her family's misfortunes on?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Clara, who has always said she cannot live without love, now say about it?

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

5. What does Valeria remember happening one night when she sat up late with Mirella when she was little?

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

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

8. Describe Guido and Valeria's walk to San Carlo church.

9. What is the film about, that Michele and Valeria see together?

10. What does Guido tell Valeria he has been afraid of?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Choose two different settings within the novel. Compare them and their impact on Valeria, her thoughts, and her feelings.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 751 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample