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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. Why does Alessandra stay up all night with Cristoforo in Chapter 40?

2. When the painter returns Alessandra drawings to her, what does he ask?

3. What makes Alessandra's visit to Plautilla difficult in Chapter 26?

4. What do Alessandra and Cristoforo do when the French come to Florence in Chapter 20?

5. Why does Mother Superior let the painter stay with Alessandra in the convent?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Savonarola respond to being excommunicated?

2. In Chapter 25, why does Alessandra ask her mother about her engagement?

3. When Alessandra visits the painter while he is locked in the chapel, what does she discover about his art?

4. What illnesses does Cristoforo worry about in Chapter 37?

5. What makes Alessandra's life in the convent less pleasing to her?

6. How does Alessandra grow closer to the painter when he stays with her and Cristoforo?

7. Why does the painter end up locking himself in the chapel, even refusing food?

8. Why does the painter come to visit Alessandra in Chapter 21?

9. How does Alessandra react to the snake tattoo she sees on the man in the market?

10. What does Savonarola do when the plague comes to Florence?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze this novel as an example of historical fiction.

Essay Topic 2

What is the author's commentary on the power of loss? How does she make loss into a motif?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the use of symbolism in this novel. Consider Alessandra's snake tattoo or the images in the frescos.

(see the answer keys)

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