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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 Riccardo show Valeria when they are alone?

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

3. Where does Valeria's aunt live?

4. On the day that convinces Valeria that the director loves her, what does he leave on her desk?

5. Where did Sandro first meet his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the children's friends visit, how do they respond to Valeria?

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

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

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

5. In his letters from Africa, what plans did Michele propose?

6. What does Mirella say to Valeria about authority?

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

8. What does Clara say about working women?

9. How does Valeria feel in Guido's car?

10. How does Michele reply when Valeria points out to him that Mirella still is not home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

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