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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. Who was not one of the world leaders that met after World War II to define the peace and new boundaries?

2. Davide tells Nino that, someday, he wants to do what?

3. Why does Useppe love newspapers?

4. How does Useppe react when Nino is with his girlfriend under the tree?

5. How does Useppe react to the Allied soldiers' arrival in Rome?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ida feel about Useppe's frequent outings alone?

2. How does Ida feel about doctors?

3. How do Useppe and Ida react when the Allied forces enter Rome in 1944?

4. How does Nino's outlook on life change after the end of the war?

5. What is revealed, during Davide's speech, about his feelings for the bourgeoisie and anarchy?

6. What does Davide say about Jesus, during his tavern lecture?

7. Who is Scimo?

8. In what ways does Ida sacrifice her own well-being for that of her son, in 1944?

9. What relationship develops between Bella and Useppe in 1947?

10. How does Useppe die?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Davide feels compelled to lecture to the people in the tavern, though they do not receive him well, and do their best to ignore him. Why does he feel that he needs to proselytize when no one is interested? How does Davide respond when they fail to listen to him, and why? What topics does he touch upon, and how does he feel about them? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Gunther only appears twice in the novel, but plays a major role. Is he a sympathetic character? Why does the author choose to mix such pitiable qualities with such a hateful persona? Are Gunther's mistakes a result of his situation, or is he an inherently bad person? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

When Nino first steals food, Ida refuses to eat it, but later she does whatever she must to obtain food for her son. How do Ida's morals and beliefs change as a result of her desperate situation? Is her reaction common for people in her situation? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 836 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample