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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. How does Carla react when she sees Ben for the first time after arriving in Tripoli?

2. What country was Dan from?

3. What is the first thing Carla wants to talk about with Ben over their meal?

4. After Lucia's death, what does Mantini admit to sometimes struggling with?

5. What does Mantini send to Carla's home at the same time as her first order from his shop?

Short Essay Questions

1. After returning home from the town, what does Mantini notice about his bedroom?

2. What does Mantini remember of the day that Lucia died?

3. How do Carla and Mantini begin their affair?

4. What do Carla and Ben discuss when they sit down for their first meal together at the restaurant?

5. How does Ben bring up the topic of divorce to Carla?

6. Where do Carla and Ben meet for the first time in Libya, and why do they choose to meet there?

7. How has religion affected Mantini's decision to stay in Tripoli even during the evacuation?

8. What reasons does Mantini give himself as to why he decided to stay in Tripoli during the evacuation?

9. Where are the evacuees, taken from Tripoli, dropped off?

10. How does Carla react when Ben brings up the topic of divorce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Mantini and Carla are overwhelmed with their memories from the past. First, explain the memories that haunt Mantini and compare / contrast those to the memories that haunt Carla. Finally, explain how each of these characters comes to terms with the memories that haunt them by the end of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the course of the novel, Mantini finds himself as a victim of political racism. Explain the relationship between Arabs and Jews at the opening of the novel and compare / contrast that to the relationship at the end of the novel. How has Mantini become a victim of this political racism, and how does he fight back?

Essay Topic 3

Mantini's pride and joy is, arguably, his crystal shop. First, describe a typical day of business for Mantini. Then, explain what role Mohammad played in keeping the shop up and running. Then, explain why the shop was Mantini's most prized possession. What did Mantini sacrifice to keep the shop open?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 933 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample