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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 is the meaning of the word 'obfuscation'?

2. Her memories of 'taking the Host' show us what about Laura?

3. Why has Kitty acted strangely and desperately?

4. Why is Laura disappointed?

5. What color does not look well on Sally?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Clarissa thinks of Richard's illness, what makes her resentful?

2. How does Laura plan to compensate for her neglect of Dan and Richie at breakfast?

3. For what reasons has Virginia Woolf decided to end her life?

4. Why did Virginia not engage more with Nelly over the matter of the day's menu?

5. What is unusual about the headache Virginia suffers?

6. What went wrong with the relationship of Clarissa and Richard when they were younger?

7. What are Laura's feelings about her son?

8. What is the significance of the literary prize that Richard has been awarded?

9. Comment on the style of the Prologue to The Hours by Michael Cunningham.

10. What makes Clarissa Vaughan embarrassed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

'The ways in which people approach their everyday activities tells us a great deal about them.' Closely explore the way this happens in Michael Cunningham's The Hours.

Essay Topic 2

Birds and flowers are significant symbols in The Hours. Discuss the way these and one other symbol of your choice are used in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write a detailed critical essay on Michael Cunningham's The Hours. This should be a substantial essay that examines concepts, style, imagery, characterization and imaginative vision. Evaluate the novel. Do you think it deserved its Pulitzer Prize? You will need to write 800-1,000 words.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,073 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample