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. What does Olivia leave for Ellena in her room?

2. Who is Ellena enchanted by on the fifth day of her captivity at the convent of San Stefano?

3. After talking to Beatrice, what does Vivaldi not want her to mention to Ellena?

4. What causes Ellena to wonder if Olivia had similar circumstances?

5. Who does Olivia tell Ellena she resembles?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Vivaldi feels when he first sees Ellena in Chapter 1.

2. Where does Schedoni plan to send Ellena in Chapter 10 and on whose appeal is he acting?

3. What does Olivia suggest that Ellena do and why?

4. What does Olivia do to help Ellena while she is held captive in Chapter 8?

5. What does Olivia tell Ellena about her refusal to accept the veil, and what does she suggest Ellena do?

6. What do Schedoni and the Marchesa di Vivaldi decide to do based on Schedoni's exaggerated story of his confrontation with Vivaldi?

7. What is Signora Bianchi's reaction when Vivaldi states his desire to marry Ellena?

8. What choice is given to Ellena by the abbess on Chapter 8, and what is her response?

9. How does Ellena react to Vivaldi's attempts to draw her attention in Chapter 1?

10. What is Ellena's reaction when she learns how Vivaldi's parents feel about her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Vivaldi and Schedoni. How are their relationships with Ellena similar and different?

Essay Topic 2

How is foreshadowing used in "The Italian"? Choose one major instance of foreshadowing and follow it through the book, finishing with how the event is fulfilled.

Essay Topic 3

How do the minor characters in the novel affect the plot? How would the novel be different if one or more of these characters were removed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample