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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. Ida refuses to allow the doctor to perform what test on Useppe?

2. What does Nino tell his girlfriend about his and Useppe's fathers?

3. What special item does Ida buy for Useppe in 1946?

4. As the result of a group of women holding up a truck, Ida manages to come home with a bag of what?

5. Due to widespread hunger, Ida's paycheck is no longer enough to buy what basic food item?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Ida after Useppe's death?

2. What does Davide do, immediately after the war ends?

3. How does Ida feel about Useppe's frequent outings alone?

4. How does Ida feel about doctors?

5. How does Useppe die?

6. What happens to Hitler in 1945?

7. What is revealed, during Davide's speech, about his feelings for the bourgeoisie and anarchy?

8. What does Davide say about Jesus, during his tavern lecture?

9. How do Useppe's feelings about newspapers change in 1945?

10. Who is Bella, and how is she introduced to the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ida's parents are discussed at the beginning of the novel, as well as her girlhood. Which of Ida's traits did she inherit from her parents? Which were genetic, and which were learned behaviors? Is there any way of knowing for sure? Are there any events during Ida's childhood which affect the rest of her life? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Ida is devastated by Nino's decision to quit school. Why does Nino decide to quit? How do his decision to quit school, and his rowdy behavior there before he quits, reflect his disdain for authority in general? Why does his decision to quit school affect Ida so deeply? What does she think will happen to him when he drops out of school? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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This section contains 831 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample