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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 is the comment Andrew makes about women while they are looking for the brooch?

2. How does Lily feel about the sympathy that Mrs. Ramsay gives Mr. Ramsay?

3. What does Paul decide to do when they cannot find the brooch?

4. Which of her children does Mrs. Ramsay want to stay young?

5. As Mrs. Ramsay strolls with Mr. Ramsay, who does she think should marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Ramsay find odd about her husband as they walk arm in arm?

2. What does Mrs. Ramsay compare herself to when she begins dinner without asking Nancy, Andrew, Minta, and Paul why they are late?

3. Describe nature's impact on the summerhouse as it remains empty after the deaths of Mrs. Ramsay, Prue, and Andrew.

4. Why doesn't Mrs. Ramsay allow her daughters to mock the atheist, Mr. Tansley?

5. How does Lily Briscoe envision Mrs. Ramsay after she screams out Mrs. Ramsay's name in grief?

6. Why does Cam feel happy as she lifts her hand out of the sea?

7. How does Mr. Tansley react when Lily Briscoe asks him to take her to the Lighthouse the next day?

8. Lily Briscoe sees Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay watching Prue and Jasper playing with a ball. What does she think the Ramsays symbolize?

9. Describe why Mrs. Ramsay does not want her children to grow up.

10. What does Lily Briscoe decide to do as she stares at the tablecloth with its leaf pattern she recognizes from years ago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Discuss how Lily Briscoe grows as a character from the beginning of the novel to the end.

2) How do her attitudes change toward the Ramsay's?

3) How does her attitude about her lifestyle change?

4) What are the differences in her attitude toward the meaning of life differ from the beginning to the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

1) Compare the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay. Which character gives more to their relationship? Explain.

2) How do their views differ on life, marriage, and children?

3) Which character is more realistic in his or her view of life? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

1) Summarize how Virginia Woolf uses local color and imagery to describe the summerhouse.

2) Cite descriptive examples of rooms, décor, landscaping, the beach, and the view of the lighthouse.

3) Does the imagery Woolf uses depict a clear and accurate picture of the summerhouse and surrounding landscape.

(see the answer keys)

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