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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. Which ingredient did Francescho always use to create richer colors of paint?

2. Barto introduced a therapeutic method to Francescho involving which object?

3. Francescho's father suggested that she live as a man in order to eventually become an apprentice in what field?

4. Francescho recalls that her mother had named which two things as necessary in order "to get to live the life we're meant for" (112)?

5. What word featured in the fresco did Francescho change before abandoning her position as a court painter under the marquis?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Francescho's reaction to an aspect of technology in the modern world.

2. For what reason did the protagonist of Eyes have need of a new name?

3. What crime did Cosmo likely commit the night after his first encounter with Francescho?

4. In what way is the novel How to Be Both a piece of interactive fiction?

5. For what reason had Francescho eventually been banned from the brothel in Reggio?

6. What insights does Francescho provide into the subversive elements of her artwork?

7. What is "the rite of Mnemosyne" (127) and who proposed its use to Francescho?

8. With whom had Francescho spent her final moments and what is revealed to be the fate of this character?

9. Characterize Francescho's relationship with the Falcon.

10. What quality does Francescho "sense" is "central to" the "nature" (84) of the young woman whom she observes throughout the narrative?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of How to Be Both and analyze Smith’s purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel How to Be Both from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about the novel How to Be Both while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

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