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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Count Marcello talking about when he mentions oil painting and sunlight as examples?
(a) Reality.
(b) Philosophy.
(c) Beauty.
(d) The gifts of Venice.

2. What difference does Massimo Donadon claim to have made in the rat poison market?
(a) His rat poison is based on what rats like to eat.
(b) His rat poison is based on what people like to eat.
(c) His rat poison contains peanut butter.
(d) His rat poison kills rats instantly.

3. What has Alistair McAlpine begun to collect?
(a) Paintings.
(b) Neckties.
(c) Police truncheons.
(d) Boats.

4. What was the floor in Rose and Peter's basement apartment previously made of?
(a) Marble.
(b) Dirt.
(c) Stone.
(d) Wood.

5. Why does the narrator say he's come to Venice in February?
(a) At this time of year, Venetians have Venice all to themselves.
(b) Venice looks best at this time of year.
(c) He happens to be doing research for a book.
(d) The weather is perfect at this time of year.

6. Who does Rose say the McAlpines are "hiding out" in Venice from?
(a) The IRS.
(b) The ETA.
(c) The police.
(d) The IRA.

7. In which quarter does the narrator take an apartment?
(a) Castello.
(b) Marghera.
(c) Cannaregio.
(d) Giudecca.

8. Who does Donadon claim to be old friends with?
(a) Maurizio Gucci.
(b) Silvio Berlusconi.
(c) Luciano Benetton.
(d) Santo Versace.

9. What kind of mentality does Peter say doesn't exist in Venice?
(a) The Anglo-Saxon mentality.
(b) The Puritan mentality.
(c) The egalitarian mentality.
(d) The democratic mentality.

10. How many major versions of the Fenice does Peter say there have been in 200 years?
(a) Five.
(b) Eight.
(c) Six.
(d) Four.

11. Why does Lovato oppose the building of a modern new opera house?
(a) It's important to preserve the experience that the architect created for the spectator.
(b) It would damage the acoustics.
(c) For aesthetic reasons.
(d) The focus should be completely on the stage.

12. Why does Giampaolo say he trademarked the name Archimede Seguso?
(a) To protect his sons' portion of the family inheritance.
(b) To protect it from being diluted when other designers created pieces under his brand name.
(c) To protect his interest in the sale of his father's glass.
(d) To protect it from being used by Gino after his father's death.

13. Where do Venetian glassblowers traditionally work?
(a) On Tronchetto.
(b) On Giudecca.
(c) On San Michele.
(d) On Murano.

14. Who does Rose recall living next to in Venice?
(a) Robert Frost.
(b) T.S. Eliot.
(c) Ezra Pound.
(d) Ernest Hemingway.

15. What is Giampaolo's view of glassmaking?
(a) He's a traditionalist.
(b) He believes that family is more important than glassmaking.
(c) He believes only artists should make glass.
(d) He's a daring designer.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the main focus of Count Marcello's private library?

2. Which reminders of "La Traviata, Rigoletto and Tancredi" were supposedly housed in the Fenice according to one of the dinner guests at the Carnival ball?

3. What does Giampaolo say he's good at when it comes to glassblowing?

4. Which covert paramilitary operation was Casson responsible for uncovering?

5. What does Loredan say the squalid pigeons are the symbolic heroes of?

(see the answer keys)

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