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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 do John and Fanny plan a party for?

2. What do Elinor's visitors in this chapter urge her to do while in Cleveland?

3. Why does John think Colonel Brandon lacks sense?

4. What does Marianne agree to accept?

5. What does Edward ask Elinor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Elinor's unhappy reaction show about her logical character?

2. Is Elinor closer to Marianne in character than first thought?

3. How do the sisters differing reactions to leaving London show the contrast between sense and sensibility?

4. Why is having sense so important to Elinor?

5. Have the sisters changed during their time in London?

6. How much does Marianne's mental state contribute to her illness?

7. What are the differences between the Steele sisters and the Dashwood sisters?

8. Why does the Colonel ask Elinor to tell Edward about his new position in the Parish?

9. How is Mrs. Dashwood one of the more unselfish characters in the book?

10. Do you think Marianne can be happy with Colonel Brandon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the major themes of the novel is the benefit of logic over emotion. Do you think Austen places too much emphasis on logic? Could the logical characters work more efficiently without the more emotional character? Or do they both work to keep each other in check?

Take a scene from the novel where logic prevails and discuss what would happen if there was no logical thinking to keep the emotional characters in check.

Essay Topic 2

Austen presents Elinor as a logical person, but also hints she oppresses her emotional side for the good of the family.

1) Look at two examples where Elinor represses her emotions. For what reason does she do it? In each instance, what would happen if didn't oppress her emotions?

2) Do you think it is good or bad for Elinor to repress her emotions?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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