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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 threatens Lila after the school competition in Childhood: Chapter 9?

2. What is Donato Sarratore's profession?

3. Where is Elena from?

4. What item of jewelry belonging to Elena is damaged in Adolescence: Chapter 13?

5. What is the name of Elena's youngest sibling?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the theme of envy illustrated in Childhood: Chapter 7?

2. How would you describe the development of Lila and Elena's relationship in Adolescence: Chapters 7-12?

3. How does Elena's first menstruation influence her relationship with Lila?

4. What is discovered of Lila's belongings and mementos in Chapters 2 and 3?

5. How does the onset of adolescence affect both Lila and Elena?

6. How is Lila's sense of competition illustrated in Adolescence: Chapters 13-18?

7. How does Lila's character perceive wealth in the narrative?

8. What is foreshadowed by the encounter between Lila, Elena, and the Solara brothers in Adolescence: Chapter 13?

9. What is significant about Lila's inability to continue in school past elementary school in the narrative?

10. What themes are predominant in Adolescence: Chapters 13-18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss Lila's behavior in school when she is young. Why do you think that Lila acts out in class? How does the teacher respond to Lila's behavior? What is discovered about Lila's abilities?

Essay Topic 2

How do the relationships across the neighborhood change after the Solara brothers assist Pasquale and Rino in a fight in the city? What effect does this event have on the feuding families of Elana's neighborhood? How does it influence Lila and Elena's perspectives of the Solaras?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the narrative style and framing device established for My Brilliant Friend in the Prologue and first chapters. From whose perspective is the narrative related? Why is the narrative related by this character?

(see the answer keys)

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