View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why do the townspeople rush to greet Pallura?

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

3. Who thinks Cesara Reis and Mr. Migri should reconsider their engagement?

4. In "Broken Toys," how does the stocky man feel about the woman with the questions about toys?

5. What is the woman with the toys looking for on the train in "Broken Toys"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Cesara Reis's wedding like?

2. How does the wedding party react to the news that Cesara Reis's wedding has been postponed?

3. How does the stocky man in "Broken Toys" judge the Southern Italians?

4. Why is progress on the fountain in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa" continually stalled?

5. Why is the town of Pietrarsa building a fountain in "The Fountain of Pietrarsa"?

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

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

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

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

10. How does Professor Gori realize Cesara Reis's wedding has been postponed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain why you think these stories were compiled. Describe three themes or messages that this collection explores as a whole.

Essay Topic 2

What does physical movement represent in these stories? Choose 2-3 stories that use physical movement as a symbol and examine the use of that symbol.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one story and explore how marriage is represented in it. What message is the author trying to convey about marriage?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 671 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample