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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. Why does Margot visit Villa I Tatti?

2. Who are the Mud Angels?

3. Where does Margot think many repairs need to be made?

4. What do Margot and the person who introduces herself to Margot discuss?

5. What does Margot's mother decide to do when she is dying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Harvard University to Margot?

2. How is Margot spending time during the long plane and train rides?

3. Describe the scene when the taxi gets a flat tire.

4. What does Margot discover about the book that the Abbess gives into Margot's care?

5. What does Margot decide to do in Chapter 1 and who is against her doing so?

6. About what does Margot become curious while working at the convent, and what does she learn?

7. What did Alessandro do on the day of the November 4th flood?

8. Why is Margot drawn to some frescoes she views in the convent and how is that uncharacteristic of her?

9. What do Margot and Madre Badessa discuss concerning the nuns' vows?

10. What does Margot's new living quarters remind her of and how does she change that?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Italy, which is very strongly Roman Catholic, has very strict divorce laws in the 1960s, and still stricter laws in the present day compared to the United States. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the divorce laws and options in Italy of the 1960s to the United States of the 1960s. How are the alike? Different? What do you think is the rationale for each country's divorce laws? Do you think Italian or American divorce laws in the 1960s were too strict? In the present day?

2. Compare/contrast the divorce laws and options in Italy of the 1960s to present-day Italy. How are the alike? Different? What do you think is the reason for their divorce laws? Do you think Italian divorce laws in the 1960s were too strict? In the present day?

3. Why do you think Alessandro is seeking an annulment to his marriage rather than a divorce? (this will require a little research). Do you agree with the judges' ruling? Should any couple be allowed to divorce just because one or both of them want a divorce? Why or why not. What is the purpose of making couples go through divorce? Does the idea of an annulment seem hypocritical in many cases? What about in Alessandro's case.

Essay Topic 2

Margot learns about the inner workings of the convent and its vast land holdings as well as the politics of the church. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the idea of a church holding great wealth. Do you think a church should have a great deal of wealth, or should it be spending everything to help people to have better lives? Why would a church hold on to its wealth rather than distributing it?

2. Discuss the paradox of the words, "In God We Trust" appearing on paper currency in the United States.

3. The Bishop, who has taken a vow of poverty, is quite concerned with controlling the assets of the convent. Who do you think should control the convent's assets? Do you think the Bishop has the convent's best interests at heart? Why or why not.

4.

Essay Topic 3

The Sixteen Pleasures ends on a fairly upbeat note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Sixteen Pleasures and whether or not The Sixteen Pleasures fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Sixteen Pleasures is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

(see the answer keys)

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