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. What is the name of Lila's older brother?

2. What is the name of Elena's youngest sibling?

3. Where does Elena live in the Prologue of the novel?

4. What is Enzo's father's profession?

5. Why do Elena and Lila set out to write a novel in Childhood: Chapter 15?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is foreshadowed by the attentions paid to Lila during the outing in the city in Adolescence: Chapter 16?

2. What questions does Donato Sarratore's book of poetry elicit after its publication?

3. What is discovered of Lila's belongings and mementos in Chapters 2 and 3?

4. What is significant about Lila's inability to continue in school past elementary school in the narrative?

5. What book do Lila and Elena purchase with the money from Don Achille in Childhood: Chapter 15? How does the book influence them?

6. What is foreshadowed by Lila's newfound obsession with shoemaking in Adolescence: Chapters 4-6?

7. How does Lila respond to jealousies over Elena in Adolescence: Chapters 3 and 4?

8. What leads to the family feuds and violence that erupts in Childhood: Chapters 8 and 9?

9. How does Lila's behavior toward Elena change once Lila is no longer in school?

10. How does Elena's first menstruation influence her relationship with Lila?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Elena's relationship with Nino Saratorre in the novel. When does this relationship begin? How does it evolve? What about Nino is Elena attracted to? What happens to their relationship in the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Elena's summer spent at Ischia. With whom does Elena stay during her visit? How does she earn room and board? Who also stays at the house during the summer and what relationships does Elena form with these characters?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Lila and Elena in the novel. How are they alike? How do they differ? How do their differences influence the development of their friendship in the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 887 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample