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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. How are Peronella and her lover surprised one afternoon?

2. What does Frederico, now a poor man, determine to do when Monna Giovanna comes calling?

3. How does Peronella explain the man who is in the barrel?

4. What is the relationship between Tingoccio Mini and Meuccio di Tura?

5. What does Peronella's lover do while she supervises her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the kind of work done by another ugly man by the name of Giotto di Bondone.

2. How does Don Gianni di Barolo have his way with the wife of Pietro da Tresanti while Pietro looks on?

3. What unusual thing causes Peronella and her lover to look for a place to hide him?

4. Why do several nuns come to the Abbess' door in the middle of the night?

5. What is the sad situation with Frederigo, a man of noble birth?

6. Besides his homely countenance, describe what Messer Forese da Rabatta is noted for.

7. How are Caterina and Ricciardo found out?

8. When Monna Giovanna's son becomes seriously ill, what does he tell her might make him better?

9. What happens that Don Gianni declares has broken the spell to change Pietro's wife into a mare?

10. When collecting alms from a nearby village, what does Brother Onion use to get the people to give freely?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a story of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages in the style of THE DECAMERON. This is a creative writing assignment where you are required to tell a story using the euphemistic language of THE DECAMERON and one of the themes such as unexpected happy endings or tragic endings.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Why THE DECAMERON Should Be Required Reading. In your essay include the historic value of the book, the impact the book has had on modern novels, and the classic nature of the work. Discuss THE DECAMERON as a means of understanding the period of the Black Death in Europe and the attitude of living for today because tomorrow we may die. Conclude with why you think a reader is enriched by reading this particular work.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, How Bernie Madoff Compares with Brother Onion. Using Brother Onion's feather from the wing of Gabriel and charcoal from the burning of St. Lorenzo, compare those things with Madoff's use of his connections and expertise on Wall Street to dupe people into investing money that he had no intention of returning. Define how people who want to believe in something are easily led.

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This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample