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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. Which mask-making studio is well-respected, even among Venetians, according to the book?

2. What object does a Sicilian prince bring to Signor Seguso in order to authenticate it?

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

4. Who does the narrator say defeated Venice at the height of its grandeur?

5. Who do the townspeople talking at Haig's Bar believe is responsible for the fire?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Rose's experiences with Ezra Pound.

2. Explain Rose Lauritzen's problems with the "magazzino" as detailed in Chapter 3.

3. Explain what Rose tells the narrator about the safety of the city of Venice.

4. Describe Archimede Seguso's state of mind and his activities since the Fenice fire.

5. How does the panel of experts come to the conclusion that the Fenice fire must not have been caused by arson?

6. How does the Count Giovanni Volpi describe his father?

7. What is the pigeon problem in Venice and how is it being dealt with?

8. What does Gino Seguso tell the narrator about Giampaolo's actions and intentions since Giampaolo left the company?

9. What does Count Marcello seem to believe about the fire and how does he back up his opinion?

10. Who is the Rat Man of Treviso and what does he do? What's special about what he does?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the conflict between nobility and democracy the narrator weaves at the Carnival ball in Chapter 6 through the narrative about the characters of Alvise Loredan and the "Rat Man" of Treviso, and explain how this conflict is relevant to Venetian culture as a whole.

Essay Topic 2

Using what you know about his uncovering of Gladio, explain how Felice Casson is presented in the book as being a bearer of justice.

Essay Topic 3

Using Archimede Seguso's "La Fenice" collection as an example, explain how beauty and neglect resurface throughout the book.

(see the answer keys)

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