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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 Rowley insist that Mary do?

2. What does Mary say that further angers Karl?

3. Why does Rowley ask for the gun?

4. What is rumored about Karl?

5. Where is Karl sent?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary feel about what Karl tells her about his life?

2. Describe the scene of Mary and Rowley getting rid of Karl's body.

3. How does Mary appear as she leaves for the luncheon?

4. How does the situation between Mary and Karl start to deteriorate?

5. What does Rowley ask for that upsets Mary?

6. What is the first way Rowley suggests they handle the situation and what is Mary's response?

7. Why does Mary call Rowley?

8. What does Mary do that causes Karl to become even more angry and what is Karl's reply?

9. Describe Karl's life in Austria.

10. How does Karl end up in a concentration camp and how does he get to Italy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rowley isn't very favorably seen by his peers and Mary says that his biggest disgrace is that he's never had to work. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is harmful for someone to be "born into money"? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of such a situation?

2. What character traits of Rowley's do you think are directly or indirectly attributable to his never having to work and have all the money he needs/wants? Discuss fully using examples from the text.

3. Assuming you have not been born into the same type of situation as Rowley, do you think you would want to have been born into a very wealthy family that did not require you to earn a living? Why or why not.

4. What do you think Rowley should have been (could be) doing differently with his money that might be more positive--or is it positive enough to just want to enjoy life? Explain fully.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Up at the Villa, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (they may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 4, when Karl and Mary are walking in the garden, Mary is suddenly beset with the idea of giving him the gift of a sexual encounter and they go back into the house together. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Mary has thought through the idea of having sex with Karl long enough?

2. Can a one-time, sexual encounter with a stranger be a gift? Do you think it would be something that is kind and loving to do?

3. Other than making Karl feel good for a few hours, could Mary's gift be of any long term value?

4. Do you think Karl is ungrateful to not just accept Mary's gift and willingness to be kind to a stranger?

(see the answer keys)

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