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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 Davide recall about the face of the man he killed?

2. How does Davide feel about God?

3. Why isn't Davide afraid of ghosts?

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

5. Which of Useppe's features appears unusual, starting in 1947?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ida feel about doctors?

2. How does Useppe die?

3. Why was Davide alienated from his family?

4. What happens to Hitler in 1945?

5. What happens when Ida tries to put Useppe in school?

6. How does Bella save Useppe's life in 1947?

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

8. How does Useppe's behavior change after seeing the disturbing newspaper photos, and his exposure to public school?

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

10. What is Nino's situation, in 1944?

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'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 3

All of the historical information presented in the novel is accurate, but it is presented in a way that allows the author to back up her own points. Does the author's presentation of the historical facts change the way the reader interprets those facts? Is the author's use of historical facts to flesh out the story effective? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 859 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample