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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 the engineer in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa" avoid the narrator?

2. Who gathers around the mayor of Pietrarsa's house in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa"?

3. Why do some people in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa" want the fountain moved?

4. Why is Cesara Reis's wedding canceled?

5. What do Giacobbe and his men want to do in the church in Mascalico?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Marquis feel about Nunzia's methods of raising her social status?

2. What happens to the statue of San Pantaleone at the end of "The Idolaters"?

3. What happens when the narrator runs into the engineer in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa"?

4. What is Cesara Reis's wedding like?

5. In "The Fountain of Pietrarsa," how does the engineer feel at the end of the story?

6. How does Nunzia initially feel about the Marquis?

7. What does the woman with the toys reveal about herself when she asks questions in "Broken Toys"?

8. Why does Professor Gori want Cesara Reis to go on with her wedding as planned?

9. Why does the engineer in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa" agree to take the narrator's bet?

10. What role does the statue of San Pantaleone play in the lives of the townspeople in "The Idolaters"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the political forces described in the author's biography to the political forces in their story.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the use of dialogue in at least two stories. How does the dialogue affect the story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the struggles between the upper and lower classes in Italy throughout the time periods these stories represent. Select three stories that best illustrate these struggles.

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