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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. In Chapter 1, what is the painter Alessandra's father knows hired for?

2. In Chapter 3, what does Alessandra's mother warn her about her future husband?

3. Why does Alessandra have an escort in Chapter 5?

4. How old is Cristoforo when Alessandra agrees to marry him?

5. In "Prologue," where does the nun die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Alessandra say she wants to be married in Chapter 10?

2. In Chapter 9, how does Alessandra feel when she wakes up?

3. In Chapter 1, what does Alessandra's father relationship with the painter represent?

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

5. In "Prologue," what happens after Sister Lucrezia dies?

6. After the murder in the church, what is the next murder to be discovered?

7. In Chapter 16, what happens when Alessandra sneaks out of the house?

8. What happens when Alessandra sneaks into the painters rooms in Chapter 1?

9. What does Cristoforo show Alessandra after they are married?

10. What happens when Alessandra tries to paint in Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Alessandra to her sister Plautilla.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the theme of freedom in The Birth of Venus. Consider freedom in relationships, society, politics and the arts.

Essay Topic 3

What role does marriage play in The Birth of Venus? How does marriage affect the conflicts in this novel?

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