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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 are Virginia and Marjorie doing when Vanessa arrives?

2. What does Laura tell Richie she will do today?

3. Who has a voice like a parakeet, according to Virginia?

4. What language did Virginia hear sparrows using?

5. Where is Walter Hardy heading?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about Vanessa's visit to Hogarth House?

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

3. What does Virginia Woolf value about youth?

4. What makes Clarissa Vaughan embarrassed?

5. What is significant about the kiss Laura gives to Kitty?

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

7. What important writing quality does Virginia exhibit?

8. What fascinates Laura about Virginia Woolf's death?

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

10. Of what significance is the bird that Laura briefly glimpses?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are numerous interpersonal tensions running through all sections of Michael Cunningham's The Hours. Discuss two of these interpersonal tensions. Are they resolved during the novel? How do they affect the characters who are involved? How are these tensions associated with the themes and/or symbols that are important in the novel?

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

Is Richard Worthington Brown's death a tragedy? You need to consider the nature of tragedy as well as the illness Richard suffered.

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