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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 item do Ida and Useppe acquire in 1947?

2. Where is Davide Segre's family home?

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

4. Which is NOT a newly-changed characteristic of Nino, when he visits Ida in 1944?

5. Who is Ninuccia?

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 doctors?

4. What were the Nuremberg trials?

5. Who is Scimo?

6. How does Nino's outlook on life change after the end of the war?

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

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

9. What is the situation of the few Jews who return to the Ghetto in 1945?

10. Why was Davide alienated from his family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nino is arrogant and belligerent toward many people, but he has a soft spot for his brother and dogs. Why is Nino's relationship with his brother different from his relationship with his mother and the other people he associates with? Why does he develop such a strong bond with Useppe? Why doesn't he react to Useppe the way Ida expects him to? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Davide feels compelled to lecture to the people in the tavern, though they do not receive him well, and do their best to ignore him. Why does he feel that he needs to proselytize when no one is interested? How does Davide respond when they fail to listen to him, and why? What topics does he touch upon, and how does he feel about them? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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