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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. How many years of Mari's life were spent working?

2. What does Mari ask Veronika in Chapter 15?

3. Why does Veronika take her clothes off?

4. Why does Veronika stop playing music at the beginning of Chapter 19?

5. What kind of poison does Dr. Igor suspect Veronika to be suffering from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Veronika unable to accept the stimulants Dr. Igor offers?

2. In what way does Eduard look different after Veronika has masturbated?

3. Why does Veronika enjoy playing the piano for Edward?

4. What is Mari's belief for why Veronika has been playing the piano more and more frequently?

5. Why does Veronika change her mind about wanting to see her mother?

6. What happened to prompt Mari's first panic attack?

7. Why does Dr. Igor let Mari leave Villete?

8. Why did Eduard hate living in Brazil while he was growing up?

9. Why does Veronika decide to not touch Eduard even though she wants to while she masturbates?

10. Why does Zedka decide to finally leave Villete?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the residents of Villete suffer from some kind of mental illness. Paulo Coelho is sensitive when he touches upon the subject. He treats it with respect. Write an essay that explains how the story handles the issues associated with mental illness. Which characters in Veronika Decides to Die suffer from some type of mental illness? How did these characters come to Villete? What sort of treatment do they go through? Are they ever "cured" of their illness?

Essay Topic 2

Veronika spends much of her time in Villete wondering about her impending death. As each day goes by, she waits for the fateful moment when her heart will give in. Write an essay that explores the theme of death within the context of Veronika's character. How does the news of Veronika's limited lifespan effect her outlook on the world? How do her opinions of life change as her time on earth dwindles? What happens when she is faced with her last twenty four hours of life?

Essay Topic 3

Religion is a prevalent theme throughout Veronika Decides to Die. The Fraternity invites a guest speaker, the Sufi master, to lecture at Villete. Later on, Veronika and Eduard debate the meaning of the "Our Lady" painting. Write an essay that explores the role religion plays within the context of the story. What is Sufism and why is it important to the members of The Fraternity? Why do they invite the Sufi master as a guest speaker? How does this contrast to the later debate Veronika and Eduard have over the "Our Lady" painting? What does the painting mean to each of them? What would the characters of the story be like without religion?

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