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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. Why does Useppe develop an aversion to newspapers, in 1945?

2. Davide tells Nino that, someday, he wants to do what?

3. Why does Ida put Useppe in kindergarten?

4. For what purposes did Germans overtake some of the buildings in Rome?

5. According to Davide, why is there no need for a revolution in 1947?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Nino killed?

2. What happens to Hitler in 1945?

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

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

5. Why was Davide alienated from his family?

6. How do Useppe and Ida react when the Allied forces enter Rome in 1944?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ida spends her entire life feeling like she is an outsider who must keep secrets, even from those she loves most. Why doesn't Ida feel as if she fits in anywhere? How would her life have been different if she were not of mixed blood? Why? Are Ida's feelings justified? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The narrator uses phrases of uncertainty and first-person expressions when telling the story. Why does the author choose to do this? What literary purpose does this style of writing serve? Was it an effective storytelling method? 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 864 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample