View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Scimo admits, to Useppe, that he escaped from what?

2. What is the name of Nino's second dog?

3. How does the family servant feel about Nino in 1945?

4. Nino is very proud of what possession in 1946?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Useppe's feelings about newspapers change in 1945?

3. What happens to Hitler in 1945?

4. How does Useppe die?

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

6. What happens when Ida tries to put Useppe in school?

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

8. What does Davide do, immediately after the war ends?

9. What is the situation of the few Jews who return to the Ghetto in 1945?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Scimo is a character who seems almost surreal, and leads the reader to wonder if he is simply a figment of Useppe's imagination. Is there any way to tell for sure if Scimo is real or not? Why? What purpose does his character serve? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Nino's attitudes toward the war, politics, and his family's situation change drastically after the war ends. Why do these changes occur? How do Nino's relationships with his revolutionary friends change as a result of his changed beliefs? What are his new priorities, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

All of the historical information presented in the novel is accurate, but it is presented in a way that allows the author to back up her own points. Does the author's presentation of the historical facts change the way the reader interprets those facts? Is the author's use of historical facts to flesh out the story effective? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 841 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample