View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the Irishman who works in the factory?

2. What does Freda later ask Brenda regarding Patrick?

3. What does Brenda think of as she tries to go to sleep?

4. How many people have gathered in the street?

5. Which of the following things does Freda NOT do with Vittorio?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Freda decided to take a few days off work?

2. What does Freda enjoy about arriving at the factory each morning?

3. Explain the relationship Mr. Paganotti has with his employees.

4. Who is Patrick and how does he become involved in Brenda and Freda's lives?

5. What are Freda and Brenda's circumstances and how did they meet?

6. What does Freda ask Brenda to steal from the factory?

7. How does the author use foreshadowing in Maria's reading fortunes in tea leaves?

8. Who are the only men in the factory who speak English?

9. What are Freda's motivations for her behavior regarding Brenda?

10. Despite of her feelings of jealousy, how does Brenda feel herself coming back to life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the social, cultural and economic gap that occurs between the Italian factory workers and their English counterparts. What disadvantages do the Italian workers have? Why do they seem to be pleased with their meager lives? What lessons can be learned from the Italian workers? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of the poor workers in the mid-1970s when the men in the story are living their adult lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they enjoy that 21st century men do not?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Rossi. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 898 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample