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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. Who do the two men having a phone conversation in Section 8 believe the police should be more willing to work with?

2. What kind of men do the characters at the beginning of Section 9 say they must find to clear Marchica of murder?

3. What is the name of the person with a spotless reputation that gives Marchica an alibi in Section 10?

4. What country does the Captain wish Italy would adopt laws from that would allow more mafia members to be arrested?

5. What happens to a medic that begins treating sick patients rather than members of the mafia according to Captain Bellodi's story in Section 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the captain say to Marchica while he watches Pizzuco being interrogated?

2. How does Don Arena react to his police interrogation in Section 9?

3. What is the nature of the captain's story regarding a prison medic in Section 10?

4. What does Marchica claim was the reason Pizzuco asked to have Salvatore killed?

5. How does the wife of the high-ranking minister known as "His Excellency" react when he answers a phone call in Section 8?

6. What is the captain's initial impression of the Grimoli Chiarchiaro?

7. How do the police obtain a murder confession to show Marchica in Section 6?

8. Why does Pizzuco tell the police he didn't come to them with information regarding Salvatore's murder at the end of Section 7?

9. Why do the police arrest Marchica before the other suspects in Section 6?

10. How does the captain try and prove the don had connection to corrupt building projects in Section 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The leading theme throughout the book is the discovery and battle of right versus wrong. Part 1.) What appears to be the author's overall message regarding the nature of the battle between right and wrong based on the outcome of the book? Part 2.) Is there a possibility of those fighting for what is right to beat out those encouraging what is wrong, and if so how could this be achieved? Part 3.) What appears to be the captain's next step in fighting for right to overcome wrong based on his thoughts at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the symbolic meaning of the owl that is presented in the book. Why do you think the author chose to name his book "The Day of the Owl", especially considering the speech he makes about owls in Section 8 of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's portrayal of politics in the book, namely his discussions on fascism, communism and socialism. What role does politics appear to be playing in Sicilian society at the time this book was written and what does the author appear to feel towards politics?

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