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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. Whom does Elinor send a letter to when she arrives in London?

2. Who does Elinor hope to find more about while in London?

3. Why does Elinor chastise her sister?

4. Which nearby manor do the character's intend to visit the next day?

5. What does Willoughby stand to inherit?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Does Elinor strike up a friendship with Lucy because she likes her?

9. Why do you think that at this point in the story, Austen has given the reader a lot more information about Colonel Brandon than about Willoughby?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss whether you think the Colonel is a good match for Marianne. Is he a direct replacement for her sister? Do you think the match is more for the sake of Elinor than Marianne? If so, how much does Elinor's practicality oppress her sister's spontaneity?

Essay Topic 2

How much is Marianne's depression responsible for her illness? Is her changeable mood also responsible for her recovery? What do you think this says about Austen's thoughts on illness and eighteenth century society in general?

Essay Topic 3

The Dashwoods seem to complement each other perfectly and even though they have problems they work together to get out of them and end the story finding happiness. How do you think they work together so well? What are their individual roles? Is one person stronger than the other?

Take away a member of family from the story and discuss how the story could have been different. Would Marianne still be alive? Could Elinor maintain her practical outlook?

(see the answer keys)

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