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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. In Chapter III, what does Annabel know of Frederick's whereabouts?

2. The night of the party, why does Annabel suddenly feel angry?

3. On the night of the party, who is still in the flat after Annabel feeds the baby?

4. When Annabel has her second affair, what nationality is the young man?

5. What are the headlines Annabel thinks of when she hears of Frederick's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. The doctor gives Annabel two aspirins and a glass of warmed up wine. The leading neighbors of the palazzo, at the sight of the baby in Annabel's arms, get teary at the sight of Annabel's' tears. She is crying quite hard, when the child says something about how actresses can make themselves cry. What in the child's words brings back echoes of Frederick?

2. The last guest to come to Annabel's flat was Dr.Tommasi. Why was he there and how did Annabel receive the news he came to deliver?

3. Annabel made a second film and then she was to make a next film. Rumors were that Frederick was to play a leading role. What actually happened to Frederick?

4. Annabel was now the principal wage earner. Frederick's intellectual aspect and dignity were possible because of what Annabel earned. How did Frederick feel about this?

5. "The House on the Piazza" did not garner great reviews for the film, but how did it help Annabel's acting career?

6. Who was responsible for the transformation of Annabel and how did it come about?

7. Annabel was reading her new script, "The Staircase" when the bell rang. She answered the door and saw friends of Billy, or people who seemed to be his friends and who said they were there for a house warming party at seven 0'clock, according to Frederick. What did Annabel do?

8. Frederick's longtime friend, Billy O'Brien, came in and out of their lives, usually needing a loan. How did Annabel ensure that Frederick would come to Rome with her?

9. Until quite recently, how would people have described Annabel's physical appearance?

10. Frederick, always keeping in the back of his mind the idea of leaving Annabel, had taken a mistress and in Chapter III, we learn that he is constantly going away. How is Annabel managing her private life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Billy, Annabel and Frederick were longtime friends. Have they remained friends? What is the ongoing relationship between Annabel and Billy? Is Billy trustworthy? Does he have ulterior motives for his friendship?

Essay Topic 2

What exactly is meant by a public image and how is it achieved? How did having a public image affect the lives of Annabel and Frederick? Without their public images, how different do you think Annabel and Frederick's lives would have been?

Essay Topic 3

Annabel's motives usually spring from selfishness, although to an observer it might seem a selfless act. Does Annabel do anything from a sense of unselfishness? Frederick called her shallow, but she is very complex. Is that true? Give reasons why you agree or disagree.

(see the answer keys)

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