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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 Cosimo spend his time?

2. How has Viola being in the trees changed the atmosphere in the trees?

3. What does Biagio wish about his and his brother's ideas they had when they were young?

4. What do the girl and Cosimo decide before he leaves?

5. What happens when a jealous suitor goes after Cosimo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cosimo do in general about the soldiers wandering around?

2. What results from Cosimo convincing Sulpico that he is a Freemason?

3. How does Cosimo spend his time after the army shows up?

4. What kind of stories does Biagio tell at the beginning of chapter twenty and who has he spoken with about his brother?

5. When does Cosimo arrive in Olivabassa and what does he become there?

6. Describe the dream Cosimo had in chapter twenty-nine.

7. What brings Cosimo out of his depression and what does he do?

8. What does Biagio say when he reflects on the ideals he and his brother had as youth?

9. What do the townspeople see and say about Viola and Cosimo?

10. Where does Cosimo get his first glimpse of the widow that his dog has been visiting and what is she doing when he sees her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cosimo and his father come to an agreement that allows for the continuing of Cosimo's education because the Baron is finally willing to approach his son like a free-thinking individual whose agreement is needed in order to know how to proceed.

1. What is the difference between a parent who respects a child as a free-thinking individual and one who doesn't?

2. Do you think Cosimo is old enough to be seen as a free-thinking individual? Why or why not?

3. What do you think are some of the ways a parent can demonstrate that they see their child as a free-thinking individual rather than simply an extension of the parent?

Essay Topic 2

Cosimo's intentions are pure and so he attributes pure intentions to the people around him.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think someone could live in modern America with Cosimo's level of innocence and optimism about people? Why or why not?

3. Do you think living and see the world as Cosimo does makes him a happier person than most? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

While Cosimo never tries, he lives with an unapologetic conviction that life can be lived fully, selflessly, even nobly, in unbroken communion with nature.

1. What do you think this statement means? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think people in America today could live the kind of life Cosimo envisions, though not necessarily living in trees? Why or why not?

3. How do you think life in modern American would be different if most people believed the way Cosimo does?

(see the answer keys)

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