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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. Who does Mrs.Jennings bring for a visit?

2. How long is the carriage ride to London?

3. What kind of woman does Marianne and Willoughby think Brandon attracts?

4. What does Marianne do at the party?

5. Why does Elinor think her situation with Edward is better than Marianne's situation with Willoughby?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Elinor further show her tact in this chapter?

2. In what ways does Austen present Margaret as immature and a thorn in the flesh of the more practical Elinor?

3. Why is Elinor presented as the one who will make the right decisions for the Dashwoods?

4. What comparisons does Austen draw from the Dashwood's situation at Norland with John and their new situation in Barton with Sir John?

5. Why, if Elinor is so independent thinking and the one person in the family with sense, does she write to her mother for advice?

6. Do you think John is a naturally selfish person, or has Fanny turned him against his family?

7. Why is Mrs. Dashwood so taken with Willoughby?

8. Why do you think Elinor tries to act normally with Edward even though she is upset with his strange behavior?

9. Why does Elinor dislike Willoughby so much?

10. Is it important that Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are opposites?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the values of the eighteenth century.

1) Is it more important to have money in the eighteenth century than it is now? Pick a character and discuss what would happen if they were not born into money. Do you think some of the characters' obsessions with money are justified?

2) Why is marriage in the eighteenth century such an important institution? Is it more important for men or women? Is it wise to marry just for love? Is Jane Austen's happy ending merely a romantic notion that would rarely happen?

3) Does modern society share any values with eighteenth century society?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss whether you think this statement is true or false: In Sense and Sensibility, the female characters are stronger than the male characters and control the story. Use one of the relationships in the novel--for example, Elinor and Edward, to highlight your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Jane Austen often presents John Dashwood as a figure to make fun of. Do you think this is fair to his character? Is his decision not to give his sisters any money more than just a financial decision? Does he try to make it up to them as the story progresses? What does this say about his character?

(see the answer keys)

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