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. How did Lucia die?

2. Whose presense does Mantini sense in his bedroom?

3. When Mantini returns home from work, what does he notice in the corner, covered in lace and ruffles?

4. How long had Ben been living in Tripoli before sending for Carla?

5. Where did Mantini meet Dan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What job does Carla get at the American Embassy in Rome?

2. How does Mantini describe Tripoli after the evacuation?

3. What happens when Carla attempts to drink her coffee the same way Mantini does?

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

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

6. What was significant about Lucia's body at the time she died?

7. How does Carla manage to travel to the air force base during the evacuation?

8. What is the reaction when Carla's car is vandalized outside Mantini's home?

9. Why doesn't Carla return to Libya after the evacuation?

10. How does Mantini greet Carla when she enters his store, and how does Carla react to such a warm greeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of love is one that pervades the novel as a whole. First, explain what Carla views as love in her life. Then, compare / contrast the two loves of her life - Ben and Mantini. Based on this comparison, explain which man is better suited for Carla, and explain why.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 940 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample