View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Ove fail at committing suicide in Chapter 9: “A Man Called Ove Bleeds a Radiator”?

2. How has Ove planned to kill himself in Chapter 15: “A Man Called Ove and a Delayed Train”?

3. What kind of car does Ove encounter driving in his neighborhood in Chapter 15: “A Man Called Ove and a Delayed Train”?

4. What is Ove planning to install in his ceiling in Chapter 2: “(Three Weeks Earlier) A Man Called Ove Makes His Neighborhood Inspection”?

5. What kind of car did Rune buy after owning a Volvo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What job was Ove offered after he was let go from the railway yard? Why was he offered this job?

2. How is Ove's relationship with his father described in the novel?

3. What did Ove admit to Sonja on their first dinner date in Chapter 14: “A Man Who Was Ove and a Woman On A Train"? How did Sonja respond?

4. What causes the conflict between Ove and the Blond Weed in Chapter 6: “A Man Called Ove and a Bicycle that Should Have Been Left where Bicycles are Left”?

5. From what narrative perspective is A Man Called Ove related?

6. Why does Ove cancel his newspaper and telephone subscriptions in Chapter 2: “(Three Weeks Earlier) A Man Called Ove Makes His Neighborhood Inspection”?

7. What did Tom accuse Ove of when Ove was 18? How did Ove respond to the situation?

8. How does Ove intend to commit suicide in Chapter 11: “A Man Called Ove and a Lanky One who can’t Open a Window Without Falling Off a Ladder”? What prevents him from doing so?

9. Why does Ove end up parking the car and trailer in Chapter 3: “A Man Called Ove Reverses With A Trailer”?

10. How are Ove and his wife compared with one another in Chapter 5: “A Man Called Ove”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of Parvaneh in A Man Called Ove. How does Parvaneh meet Ove? What do you think draws her to his character? How does their relationship evolve in the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of grief and loss in A Man Called Ove. How does the author explore these themes through symbolism and imagery? How are the themes illustrated through character and action?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss examples of irony in A Man Called Ove. What are examples of dramatic irony in the story? What are examples of verbal irony employed by the author? What situational irony can be seen?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample