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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. Why does Plautilla feel the painter should paint her first?

2. In Chapter 1, why does Alessandra sneak into the artist's rooms?

3. What does Alessandra see of the painter's in the chapel in Chapter 8?

4. In "Prologue," why does Mother Superior want to go against Sister Lucrezia's wishes?

5. What does Alessandra fear when she sees the painter leave in the middle of night in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6, what events interrupt the planning of Alessandra's sister's wedding?

2. What does the ringing bell in Chapter 17 remind Alessandra's mother of?

3. What does Alessandra do when the painter doesn't tell her what he thinks of her drawings?

4. Why do Alessandra's siblings argue about being painted in Chapter 1?

5. What happens when Alessandra sneaks into the painters rooms in Chapter 1?

6. What happens after Cristoforo admits to being a homosexual?

7. What happens when Alessandra tries to paint in Chapter 4?

8. In Chapter 16, what happens when Alessandra sneaks out of the house?

9. Why does Alessandra say she wants to be married in Chapter 10?

10. What happens during the church services in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What relationship between political and personal revolts does the author create in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the use of symbolism in this novel. Consider Alessandra's snake tattoo or the images in the frescos.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the role of sacrifice in The Birth of Venus.

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