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. Where does Lucrezia think she might never see again as she rides away from it in Part III?

2. Why does Emilia feel it is best to get dressed and make an appearance?

3. What does Elisabetta warn Lucrezia about?

4. What does Lucrezia say she can help Alfonso with?

5. What color are Elisabetta's rooms draped in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Duke say when Lucrezia suggests she may help him with is duties?

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

3. What is Nunciata like to Lucrezia?

4. Who does Lucrezia write to to say her life is in danger in Part III?

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

6. What do Lucrezia and Jacopo have in common?

7. Who does Lucrezia save from death in Part III?

8. What kind of singers is Lucrezia enchanted, and then appalled, by?

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

10. Why does Alfonso get so angry at Lucrezia in Part III?

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

How is Lucrezia's near-miss with the boiling water that hit Emilia when they were both very young children foreshadow what is to come for both characters in the end of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

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 567 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample