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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. What sport did the men often play together?

2. Who has a meeting with Pratt?

3. Who is approached about the whereabouts of Backman?

4. Whose death was mistakenly ruled a suicide?

5. What is Rudolph's last name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the meeting between Sandberg and Pratt. Who are Sandberg and Pratt?

2. How does Luigi propose Backman deal with the language barrier? What will Backman tell the locals about his lack of knowledge about the language?

3. Explain Backman's opinion of the first day in Bologna. What does he do?

4. What is Joel Backman's family situation?

5. What is Pratt's recollection of the Backman case? Who was involved? What was the main subject of the case?

6. What is the next morning's news regarding Backman's release? What is Carl Pratt's opinion?

7. What does Backman do on his second day in Bologna? Who does he meet?

8. At this point in the story what is the general structure of Backman's average day? What things does he do daily?

9. Why does Backman go shopping? Why does he have to have permission from Luigi?

10. What are the President's immediate plans after leaving office? What are the opinions of his wife and others regarding these plans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joel and Neal Backman are both ambitious lawyers although Joel took a chance that landed him in prison for 20 years while Neal managed to get his life in order after the scandal died down. Compare and contrast Joel and Neal Backman. Which is the most honest? Which is the smartest? What are the biggest differences? Do you think Neal wants to be more or less like his father? How does Lisa view the relationship? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Francesca Ferro is in a vulnerable state when she meets Joel Backman aka Marco Lazzeri. Discuss Francesca's situation. What is Backman's complaint about Francesca? What does Backman learn from Luigi? What is the relationship between Francesca and Backman? What is Francesca's home situation? How does Francesca's mother react when Backman carries Francesca into the apartment? Why is there tension between Francesca and Giovanni? What do you think will happen with Francesca and Backman?

Essay Topic 3

Joel Backman was not the only one to suffer from the trial that sent him to prison for twenty years. Neal Backman and Carl Pratt were also charged. Pratt returned to his law firm but Neal was left without a job. Discuss Neal's downfall. What charges were brought against Neal? Was Neal prosecuted for his part in the JAM deal? Explain. What did Backman do to save his son from going to prison? What kind of reception did Neal receive from his company after the trial was over? Why was it so difficult for Neal to get a job? Where does Neal end up? What is Lisa's opinion of the whole situation? Do you think Neal has made a full recovery from the trauma surrounding his father's arrest and imprisonment? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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