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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At what time of day does Virginia set off for a walk?
(a) Dusk--early evening.
(b) About half an hour before sunset.
(c) In the middle of the night.
(d) Mid-day.

2. What prompts Laura's fury?
(a) Dan secretly laughing at Laura's efforts.
(b) Dan being unable to blow out the candles.
(c) Dan's spittle on the cake.
(d) Dan being off-hand with Richie.

3. When she has to choose, what does Laura do?
(a) She heads off back the way she came.
(b) She drives to Pasadena.
(c) She drives along the Pasadena Freeway.
(d) She drives into Los Angeles.

4. What can Laura see out of the hotel window?
(a) A statue of Christ.
(b) A row of shops and a fountain.
(c) Cars on a freeway.
(d) A V-shaped plaza with a fountain.

5. What preoccupies Virginia?
(a) The train time-table.
(b) The fate of 'Clarissa' in her novel.
(c) Leonard's worry over her.
(d) The price of children's coats in Harrods.

Short Answer Questions

1. With which particular person does Laura contrast her own life?

2. What is the cause of Mary's emotional distress?

3. What is unusual about Clarissa and Sally?

4. With what profession is Nelly's calm compared?

5. How many times has Laura tried to get the cake right?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Laura delay joining her husband in bed as his birthday draws to an end?

2. What are Laura's rather bitter hopes about heaven?

3. Why is suicide not an option for Laura?

4. What distracts Laura as she gets out of her car at Mrs. Latch's house?

5. What is ironic about Richard's apartment being open to the light?

6. What writing decision of Virginia's is prompted by her success in her campaign to move back to London?

7. What does Louis think of Clarissa?

8. Why does Walter want to buy his young partner a present?

9. What do the two women exchange as Laura prepares to return home?

10. What does Virginia see as a kind of devil?

(see the answer keys)

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