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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. What is Katharine's last name?

2. Which character appears in Chapter 5 in a flashback?

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

4. What happens at the German generals' party?

5. Who does Clinton bring with him to the exploration?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Chapter 5 foreshadow later events in the novel?

2. What is Hana's reaction to Caravaggio's arrival at the villa?

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

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

5. How does the relationship between Hana and Kip foreshadow later events in the novel?

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

7. What impact has the war had on Hana?

8. Describe Hana's conversation with Caravaggio in the library after Kip and his partner arrive at the villa.

9. Describe Kip and his fascination with religious symbols.

10. What event in Chapter 3 brings Hana and Kip closer together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think is the main theme of Onjaatje's novel? Identify at least three events in "The English Patient" that communicate this theme.

Essay Topic 2

Ondaatje uses a narrative point of view throughout his entire book. Why do you think he chooses to write this way? What are the pros and cons of using this point of view in this particular story?

Essay Topic 3

Ondaatje uses a great deal of imagery in his book, particularly in the final chapters. What specific examples of imagery did Ondaatje include? How does this imagery add to the readers' experience of the story?

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