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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. Regarding the answer to number 99, what is this man's career?

2. What do Italians avoid at all costs?

3. What do most Italians think about contemporary capitalism?

4. The culture and qualities of the Italian people are ______________ on this island.

5. When might a family extend into extreme behavior?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do most Italians think of free expression?

2. What is one difference between Northerners and Southerners?

3. How is Guicciardini a role model?

4. What are the two major rules that must be followed to survive in Italian society?

5. What are the elementary rules for survival in Italian society?

6. What is required within an Italian family?

7. In Sicily, how is each man's rank determined?

8. How do the actions of the Northerners affect the achievement of their goals? How do the beliefs of the Southerners contrast this?

9. At first glance, how does Italy appear?

10. Describe the Baroque period in Italy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is irony regarding the Italian illusions.

Part 1) What are the Italian illusions discussed in this book? What is ironic about these?

Part 2) Does this sort of illusion exist elsewhere in the world? If so, where? How? If not, why not?

Part 3) Why are Italians and others drawn so strongly to these illusions?

Essay Topic 2

Benito Mussolini was head of the Fascist party.

Part 1) Describe Mussolini's life. How is he an example of Italian showmanship gone wrong?

Part 2) Was Mussolini ultimately a success or failure? Why?

Part 3) What was important to Mussolini and others like him? Why was this important? What does this reinforce regarding Italian life?

Essay Topic 3

The rules for survival in Italian society.

Part 1) What are these rules? How does one learn the rules? Why are they necessary?

Part 2) How does this reflect the Italians' view on life?

Part 3) How does this also reflect the philosophy of illusion and deception? How can these rules both help and hurt a family and society?

Part 4) How does this foreshadow powerful groups such as the Mafia?

(see the answer keys)

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