View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Useppe react when Nino is with his girlfriend under the tree?

2. How does the family servant feel about Nino in 1945?

3. Which gift symbolizes the bourgeoisie for Davide?

4. What is not a condition from which Useppe is suffering in 1946?

5. Ida imagines that Nino is angry with her, after his death, for what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What relationship develops between Bella and Useppe in 1947?

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

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

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

5. How does Useppe die?

6. How does Ida feel about doctors?

7. How is Nino killed?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 834 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample