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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 does Lucy want Edward to do for a living?

2. Who does Mrs. Jennings say Willoughby is now engaged to?

3. What does Willoughby offer Marianne as a present?

4. Why does Elinor try to persuade Elinor to give Willoughby's present up?

5. When does Marianne receive a letter from Willoughby?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Sir John's character say about eighteenth century upper class?

5. Do you think Mrs. Dashwood's love of her daughter holds them back?

6. In this chapter, why is Brandon's sudden departure so important to the development of his character and particularly in comparison to Willoughby?

7. Is Elinor a better match for Edward than Lucy?

8. In what way does Austen use Colonel Brandon to highlight the sister's differences in character?

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

10. Why does Elinor dislike Willoughby so much?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting plays a big part in the novel, and the Dashwoods find themselves going from one extreme to another. With this mind, compare the following settings and its effects on the characters and the story. Do the characters behavior change during the novel? Is it significant Marianne gets ill in Cleveland rather than London?

1) London versus Cleveland

2) Norland Park versus Barton Park

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

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Austen use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution, and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main characters Marianne and Elinor, examine the way Austen uses him or her in the story. Does she use him or her for dramatic effect or comic aside? When does she introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

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