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

2. Why does Mrs. Ramsay think Mr. Ramsay is different from other people?

3. What returns to Mr. Bankes as he begins to eat dinner?

4. What was the worst moment of Paul's life?

5. Why does Mr. Ramsay become angry with Augustus during dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mr. Ramsay think he cannot talk to his wife as she sits in the chair knitting after James goes to bed?

2. What message does the sea give to Lily Briscoe as she lies down to sleep after returning to the summerhouse?

3. Describe the outcome of the marriage between Minta and Paul as Lily depicts it.

4. Describe the scene as Mr. Bankes, Prue, Andrew, and Lily turn off the lights before going to bed.

5. Describe the condition of the summerhouse after its years of neglect.

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

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

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

9. What does James remember while he sits in the stillness of the boat on the way to the Lighthouse?

10. How does Lily Briscoe interpret William Bankes' feelings for Mrs. Ramsay?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Mr. Tansley and Mr. Ramsay reveal their views toward women.

1) Summarize the attitudes these men display toward women. Cite examples from the story.

2) How do their attitudes toward women affect the way other characters in the novel react toward them?

Essay Topic 2

1) Evaluate the elements of cause and effect in this story using examples from the novel.

2) Choose three events from the story which cause Mr. Ramsay's life to undergo a change.

3) How does he react to the events and their effects?

4) How does he grow emotionally in his own life and in his attitude toward his children because of these changes?

Essay Topic 3

1) Evaluate the relationship between James and his mother, Mrs. Ramsay.

2) How does Mr. Ramsay affect James' and his mother's relationship?

3) What does Mrs. Ramsay wish for James' future?

4) How does James feel about his mother at the end of the novel?

5) Give examples from the story of how they interact with one another.

(see the answer keys)

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