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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 the word 'ubiquitous' tell us about the Jack Russell terriers.

2. What material is used for the counter top in Clarissa's kitchen?

3. What is Laura doing with the blue bowl?

4. What does the word 'ephemera' mean?

5. Where is Leonard when Virginia goes to talk to him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain what is meant by the comment that Laura Brown is 'trying to keep herself'.

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

4. Comment on an aspect of the Prologue's final paragraph.

5. Account for Virginia's idea that death means freedom.

6. How pervasive are the voices Virginia hears?

7. When Dan returned from the war, why was he given special acclaim?

8. What is Virginia's attitude toward Vanessa's children?

9. What is significant about Oliver St. Ives?

10. As presented in this chapter, what is Clarissa Vaughan's attitude to life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of the novel, The Hours, deals with characters' views of themselves and their fears concerning failure. Are these people actually successful, and in which ways or spheres of endeavor?

Essay Topic 2

'Clarissa Vaughan is the only attractive character in Michael Cunningham's The Hours.' Is this a fair comment? Discuss the main characters in the novel (Clarissa, Virginia, Laura, Richard) and refer to others as you think appropriate.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that discusses the contribution of the minor characters in The Hours. Could any of them have been omitted? What difference do they make to the story? Do they enrich it in any way?

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