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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 Annabel like about her husband's hair?

2. What does the doctor's wife say about Annabel's wanting to speak to the press immediately?

3. Of what do the comments of the doctor's child remind Annabel?

4. What bits of conversation does Frederick hear as he walks through the sets of the film studio?

5. How does Frederick feel about leaving Annabel?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. Despite Annabel's few unsuccessful calls to some friends, Billy was the one who got did get everyone to leave Annabel's flat and end the out of control party. What did Billy say to Annabel about Frederick not showing up at the party and how did he help Annabel?

4. What is the relationship of Billy O'Brien to the Christopher family?

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

6. The press entered the room in a rush and surged towards Annabel in Chapter 4. She sat among her neighbors who conveyed their sense of empathy and deep feeling for her loss, as Annabel blinked away her tears and looked warmly down at her baby. How did the press approach her? Was this an event staged by Annabel to control the damage Frederick had wrought?

7. In Chapter IV, when Annabel is taken to view the body, the doctors and nurses who escort her being to speak rapidly in Italian and she realizes they are trying to console her. How does she react?

8. Annabel had a brief affair with an American drama student who was playing a small part in one of her films. How did this affect her marriage?

9. 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?

10. What was Annabel's next film after "The House on the Piazza," and how was it received by the public? Also, how did it impact on the Christopher's personal lives?

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

Annabel makes a surprising decision at the end of the book. What do you think is her reason? What do you see as her future and why? Do you have any particular emotion at the decision she has made and if so, why?

Essay Topic 3

Annabel made the film "The House on the Piazza" and attracted the attention of Luigi, a producer. It was said that Luigi discovered her. Describe Luigi's role in Annabel's career. Without Luigi, how different would Annabel have been?

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(see the answer keys)

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