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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 does the Queen of Spades leave for Villanelle at the gaming table?

2. Why is Henri unable to secure his first choice of job in the army?

3. What kind of champagne does the Queen of Spades order?

4. What does Villanelle do to the cards after the Queen of Spades leaves?

5. Why do many of the soldiers get sores in the winter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn´t Patrick pray to the Virgin Mary? Why does he think this?

2. What does the Queen of Spades order when Villanelle first meets her? What is Villanelle´s reaction to the Queen of Spades?

3. How many hands tall is Napoleon's horse? Why could no stable boy last?

4. What is a vivandiere? Why are they sent to the camps?

5. What is Villanelle´s stepfather´s reaction to her birth defect? How does Villanelle account for her stepfather´s reaction?

6. What makes Henri uncomfortable at church? What does he consider his stigmata?

7. What does Henri do to the cook that impresses Bonaparte? Where did he get the idea?

8. What does Henri say the smell of porridge reminds him of? How did he feel during that time?

9. In Henri's story about the man who thought himself an inventor, why did the man go to town for a few months, leaving his family? Who seemed to hold the man together?

10. What does Bonaparte do to Henri to show his approval when he hears about Henri and the cook? What does he say about Henri's idea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

War is the main conflict in the novel, and it brings the two narrators together. What purpose does the war serve in the novel? Write an essay about war in The Passion and its effect on at least 3 characters.

Essay Topic 2

Sexual roles an important part in the interaction between the characters of The Passion. Using at least 3 characters, write an essay on the theme of how sexual roles are represented in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

In The Passion, a key figure is the Queen of Spades. Write an essay on the role of the Queen in the novel, paying special attention to her impact on both Villanelle and Henri in turn. Be sure to use at least 3 examples in your argument.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample