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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. When Villanelle´s husband finds her, what do they do to settle the score?

2. What does Patrick say goes well with spirits when Henri asks him to desert?

3. What does Henri say is worse than watching his comrades die?

4. After Henri kills Villanelle´s husband, what does he do?

5. How many years does Villanelle say Henri served in the war?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the name of the prosecuting attorney that Villanelle tries to bribe? Why won't he accept her money?

2. What do the Russian peasants call the czar? What do they do as the Napoleonic army arrives?

3. What happens to Patrick while he, Henri, and Villanelle are traveling? What does he talk about?

4. At the end of the novel, what does Henri see in the boat with Villanelle? What does he wonder about this?

5. When Henri wakes up after 2 days of sleep in Venice, what does he do first? What does he pray will sink into the canal?

6. What game does Villanelle say she entered with the Queen of Spades? What was the wager?

7. What is the name of the institution that Henri stays in? Why is he moved to a different room?

8. What are the terms of Villanelle's husband's will? How does this influence Henri's decision to confess?

9. What does Villanelle use her inheritance to buy? What is unusual about this?

10. What does Henri find in the sixth room of the Queen's house? How complete is it? What is important about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationship between the two narrators is a central theme in The Passion. Write an essay about the relationship between Villanelle and Henri from both sides, as Winterson does. How is their love impossible?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Money is an extremely important element in The Passion. Write an essay on the role of money in the novel and how it affects the relationships between characters. Be sure to include at least 3 examples of the importance of money during interactions between characters.

(see the answer keys)

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