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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 tell Useppe, when Useppe visits Davide at his home for the first time?

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

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

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

5. Trade union leaders were assassinated, in 1947, in what city?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Scimo?

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

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

4. How does Useppe die?

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

6. What were the Nuremberg trials?

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

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

9. Why was Davide alienated from his family?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nino is brazen and belligerent, obnoxious and disrespectful, but still a sympathetic character in many ways. Why does he behave the way he does toward his mother? Is he a bad person, or simply an immature boy with character flaws, trying to survive in a difficult situation? How do his feelings for his brother and dogs change the reader's perception of him? 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

Carlo's character is, at times, mysterious, sinister, pitiable and despicable. Why does his character change so much throughout the course of the novel? What literary purpose does his character serve? What is he supposed to represent? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample