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. What is the English patient's only possession?

2. Why did Caravaggio attend the German generals' party?

3. How is the English patient's true identity revealed in Chapter 4?

4. What does Hana tell Caravaggio in the library?

5. What does Hana think of when she plays the instrument in the library?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the English patient's reaction to Katharine's decision to end the affair.

2. Describe how Hana and the English patient come to know each other.

3. Why does Katharine decide to breaks off her affair with the English patient?

4. Describe the setting of Chapter 1.

5. Describe Hana's daily life in the villa.

6. How does the narrator recount the English patient's adventures in the desert?

7. How and why is Caravaggio tortured by the Germans?

8. What is Katharine's first reaction when she falls in love with the English patient?

9. Though the English patient's profession is not overtly given, what do you think he does for a living? Why?

10. Describe how Caravaggio finds out that Hana is at the villa.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some have identified the plot of "The English Patient" as somewhat confusing. Would you agree or disagree? Why?

Essay Topic 2

How would you describe the development of the relationship between Hana and Kip? Why do you think Hana becomes so quickly attached to Kip? What benefits do both characters derive from the relationship?

Essay Topic 3

What is the tone of "The English Patient"? Why would Ondaatje choose to write the story in this type of tone? What impact does the tone have on the way the reader perceives the characters and sequence of events?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 710 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample