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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 Alessandra's mother feel about her painting?

2. Why does Alessandra want medicine in Chapter 9?

3. How does the author describe Alessandra's wedding ceremony?

4. Why does the painter grid the roof of the chapel in Chapter 15?

5. When Alessandra sees the man watching her in Chapter 11, where does she realize she knows him from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Alessandra's siblings argue about being painted in Chapter 1?

2. What does the ringing bell in Chapter 17 remind Alessandra's mother of?

3. What happens after Cristoforo admits to being a homosexual?

4. What does Alessandra criticize the painter for in Chapter 1?

5. In Chapter 7, what does Alessandra's family gossip about?

6. When Alessandra first sits for the painter in Chapter 5, what makes it difficult to speak to him?

7. How does Alessandra feel about marriage in Chapter 3?

8. In Chapter 6, what events interrupt the planning of Alessandra's sister's wedding?

9. What makes Alessandra think that Cristoforo will understand her desire to paint?

10. What happens during the church services in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does this novel develop the Italian Renaissance into a character instead of a setting?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author use high art to mirror politics in this novel?

Essay Topic 3

What is the author's commentary on parenthood? Examine the different styles of parenting and what message is attached to each.

(see the answer keys)

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