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 did Eduard ask for a bike in his flashback?

2. Who does Veronika tell Igor he has become like?

3. Did Mari enter Villete voluntarily?

4. Which country did Mari desperately want to help before coming to Villete?

5. Why did Mari lie to Dr. Igor about her condition so she would have to stay in Villete indefinitely?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Veronika decide to not kiss Eduard even though she wants to?

2. Why did Mari refuse to go to the hospital when she first had a panic attack?

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

4. Why does Veronika wish for Zedka while she is masturbating?

5. Why does Veronika regret not living a little "crazier"?

6. What happened to Mari's career after her panic attacks started?

7. Why were Eduard's parents happy when he started dating his first girlfriend?

8. Why does Veronika question her sexuality and whether she has had a true orgasm?

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

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

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

Music is very important to Veronika. As the story progresses, she begins to transform because of it. She realizes that through music she can see life in a whole different light. Write an essay that explains how music helps Veronika transform and become a better person. Which emotions does she experience as she plays her music? How does she feel when she plays for the moon, the plants, and the beauty of nature? How does her opinion of the world change when she looks at it through melody and song?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 880 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample