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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. It becomes clear that which character is writing the book we are reading?

2. What does the main character in "What Story Down There Awaits its End?" have to fight?

3. How does the man in "In a Network of Lines that Intersect" conceal his true self?

4. Who is in the reader's dream where he is on a train?

5. What is the name of Amarant's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of "creating copies" come into play?

2. Describe the book "In a Network of Lines that Intersect."

3. Describe the relationship Ludmilla has with Irnerio that the reader discovers in Chapter 7.

4. Describe the "invisible I" character.

5. Describe the story "What Story Down There Awaits Its End?"

6. Describe the plot of "Around an Empty Grave."

7. Why does Ludmilla regret meeting Flannery?

8. What foreshadowing is presented in the reader's desire to visit Flannery?

9. How can reading stimulate life, according to the author?

10. What do you think Calvino is trying to say about censorship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does erasure play in the novel? Which characters are a part of the theme of erasure? How does the plot deal with erasure? How is erasure portrayed? Why is erasure significant to the novel's plot and characters?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance behind the novel titles creating a complete sentence? What does the sentence mean? What does the sentence ask the reader to contemplate?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Marana and Flannery. How are these two characters similar and different? How do they have different but similar goals? How are both reflections of the author, Calvino?

(see the answer keys)

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