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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 does Alfonso do in Part III briefly as a game that unsettles Lucrezia?

2. What does Alfonso tell Lucrezia never to do again in Part III?

3. Who does Lucrezia think is Alfonso's more attractive sister?

4. Where does Nunciata tell Lucrezia Alfonso's mother currently is in Part III?

5. What are Lucrezia's brothers trained as?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lucrezia do when Alfonso is away that makes her very happy?

2. What is Nunciata like to Lucrezia?

3. What does Elisabetta want Lucrezia to keep a secret from Alfonso?

4. What happens to Contrari?

5. What does Lucrezia witness Baldassare do in Part III that really disturbs her?

6. In the start of Part III, why does Lucrezia have some hope she may be able to survive Alfonso's attempts on her life?

7. What comment does Alfonso make about Lucrezia's portrait that startles her and the painters?

8. What does Emilia tell Lucrezia about their past connection?

9. How does Lucrezia feel about posing for a portrait?

10. What does Lucrezia's mother tell her about Alfonso's sisters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does O'Farrell skip backwards and forwards in time throughout the novel, and what effect does this choice have on the reader? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Lucrezia's marriage portrait itself, and how does Lucrezia feel when she sees it? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways and in what contexts does Lucrezia exhibit bravery and cunning throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 494 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample