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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 Marchica claim is the only reason he confessed during the murder trial in Section 10?

2. Where does Captain Bellodi say he knows he will go to at the end of the book?

3. According to the first confession the police hear in Section 7, who disposes of the murder weapon?

4. Who reacts in rage when the police show him a full confession implicating him in Section 7?

5. What do the girls Captain Bellodi and his friend meet in Section 10 believe heats the blood of Sicilian people?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of Marchica and Pizzuco's testimonies in Section 10?

2. How do the women the captain meet in Parma feel about Sicily?

3. How does Marchica react when the police show him a confession in Section 6?

4. How is the Grimoli Chiarchiaro first described in the book?

5. What is the nature of the conversation between two high-ranking officials regarding a newspaper in Section 8?

6. What is the nature of the police's first interrogation of Pizzuco in Section 6 of the book?

7. How does the farmer the captain meets in Section 8 describe the meaning of his dog's name?

8. How does Pizzuco claim Marchica fooled him into helping him get away with murder?

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

10. How does Pizzuco react when the police show him Marchica's confession?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters Captain Bellodi and Don Arena in the book. How does the author draw similarities in these two characters during the don's interrogation and what do you think he may be suggesting about the nature of Sicilian's based on this portrayal?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the nature of power that is portrayed in the book, namely in regards to the police and the mafia. How do these two groups seek and use power differently and similarly? What does this use of power tell us about the nature of each organization?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 735 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample