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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. Who explains menstruation to Elena after she begins menstruating in Adolescence: Chapter 2?

2. Who runs the grocery that has been made in the old carpenter shop in Adolescence: Chapter 7?

3. Why do Elena and Lila return home from their adventure to seek the sea in Childhood: Chapter 16?

4. Who wrote the novel Little Women?

5. What is Donato Sarratore's profession?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What exposition does the author reveal in the Prologue and Chapters 1-3?

3. How is the theme of envy illustrated in Childhood: Chapter 7?

4. What romantic gestures are seen in Lila and Elena's narratives in Childhood: Chapter 11?

5. What role does Don Achille play in the plot of My Brilliant Friend?

6. How would you describe Elena's relationship with her parents in the novel?

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

8. How would you describe the development of Lila and Elena's relationship in Adolescence: Chapters 7-12?

9. What is related of Donato Saratorre's story in Childhood: Chapter 4?

10. What themes are predominant in Adolescence: Chapters 13-18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the story of Donato Sarratore and Melina Cappuccio. What happened between these characters? How did the encounter between them influence their lives and reputations in the neighborhood?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the political ideals that are explored and discussed in My Brilliant Friend. How would you define Communism and Fascism? What are the history of these political ideals in Italy? How do they reflect upon the characters in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Lila's wedding in the end of the novel. What revelations does Elena reach during the wedding? What revelations does Lila reach? How would you describe the character arcs of these two main characters from their introduction to the wedding?

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