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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 is Filomena's profession?

2. Ida meets another Giuseppe in 1943, and his profession is what?

3. What country was abandoned by its King and government leaders in 1943?

4. What happens to the Duce's son-in-law, in January of 1944?

5. What happens to Filomena's pet rabbit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Carulina?

2. Where is Gunther, at the start of the novel, and where is he going?

3. What is the general worldwide trend in the war, according to the history presented in 1943?

4. What important object does Nino lose in 1942?

5. What was the Italian Racial Law?

6. What happens to Blitz when Nino leaves to serve in a battalion?

7. How does Useppe respond when he is left alone by Ida as a baby?

8. What does Nino do for his little brother when Useppe is very young?

9. Who is Signora DiSegni?

10. In what state is Carlo Vivaldi when he first arrives at the shelter in 1943?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nino's attitudes toward the war, politics, and his family's situation change drastically after the war ends. Why do these changes occur? How do Nino's relationships with his revolutionary friends change as a result of his changed beliefs? What are his new priorities, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Clemente and the other survivors who return from the war are forever changed, and unable to tolerate those who can only imagine what they went through. In what ways are they representative of all war survivors? How do they re-acquaint themselves with everyday life, and try to get over the atrocities they witnessed? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Useppe's behavior changed drastically after his mother attempted to enroll him in school. Why do these changes occur? Why does Ida begin to believe that there is something wrong with Useppe? Is she right? What caused his behavioral problems? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 772 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample