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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. Who enters into a P.R. war with Luciano Pavarotti over the benefit concert for the rebuilding of the Fenice?

2. What does the narrator say the officials are quick to do at the meeting in the Ateneo Veneto?

3. Who do the townspeople talking at Haig's Bar believe is responsible for the fire?

4. Why does Lovato oppose the building of a modern new opera house?

5. What does the Count say would have to happen for him to let go of his anger?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Giampaolo Seguso tell the narrator about the rift with his family?

2. How does Archimede Seguso react to the fire?

3. Describe Rose's experiences with Ezra Pound.

4. Explain what Rose tells the narrator about the safety of the city of Venice.

5. What does Count Marcello seem to believe about the fire and how does he back up his opinion?

6. How does the panel of experts come to the conclusion that the Fenice fire must not have been caused by arson?

7. What problem does the fire create for Signora Marcello, and how does she deal with the problem?

8. What does the narrator say about Venice at the beginning of Chapter 2?

9. Describe Capitano Mario Moro.

10. Describe Archimede Seguso's state of mind and his activities since the Fenice fire.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the artist Ludovico De Luigi's view of the Fenice fire and the rebuilding of the opera house, and explain the significance of his view for Venetian politics.

Essay Topic 2

Explain what the narrator says at the beginning of Chapter 2 about Venice's beauty and how this relates to his explanation of the fall of Venice at the end of the chapter.

Essay Topic 3

Using Daniel and Patricia Curtis as examples, illustrate the novel's theme of the need to hang on to the past, and explain how this theme comes up within other stories in the book as well.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,596 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample