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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 eventually happens to the tree after it was covered in glue?

2. What happens when the townspeople and the pirates meet?

3. What does Cosimo's father yell out to him at dinner?

4. What does Cosimo's mother decide about him staying in the trees?

5. What does Cosimo conclude after studying Gian de Brughi's life and the stories about him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Cosimo meet in a neighbor's garden as he explores through the trees?

2. Why is Cosimo curious about Gian de Brughi?

3. What do Cosimo's parents want to know about the men Cosimo enlisted for his project?

4. What does Biagio mourn in chapter four?

5. Why is Cosimo's mother nicknamed the Generalessa?

6. What does Battista do to make Cosimo come home and what is the result of her action?

7. How does Cosimo's mother and father try to get him to come down from the trees and what does Biagio do?

8. What happens when Cosimo's father sends the Cavalier to capture him?

9. Why does Cosimo begin writing to authors of books he likes?

10. Describe the discussion about trees that takes place at the beginning of chapter ten.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The reader may easily suppose, then, that he is a generous and doting lover, and recognizes in each woman, as he does in each of the other people with which he has interacted in the reader's observation, the things that make her valuable and unique, and in so recognizing it, helps her to recognize and celebrate it also.

1. Although this sentence was written about a lover, it can also be applied to any relationship. How do you think a person can make another feel valuable and unique? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Describe a time in your life when you felt valuable and unique. Did you feel that way because of what someone else said or did?

3. Why do you think people in general like to feel valuable and unique? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

This is the chapter containing the recounting of the Baron's decline and eventual death. Sadness over the loss of his half brother, the absence of his daughter as she becomes the wife of a man with a terribly unpleasant family, the fact that Biagio's youth keeps him from being a satisfactory companion and loss of his dream of a noble lifestyle for his family all mean that he declines quickly.

1. Do you think emotional stress and loss can cause someone to sicken and die? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Cosimo should feel some responsibility for his father's death? Why or why not?

3. What do you think Cosimo could have done to help his father more? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Cosimo's intentions are pure and so he attributes pure intentions to the people around him.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think someone could live in modern America with Cosimo's level of innocence and optimism about people? Why or why not?

3. Do you think living and see the world as Cosimo does makes him a happier person than most? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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