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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 sudden change in Virginia has occurred?

2. What does writing, when inspired, give to Virginia?

3. What factor turns Virginia into 'a fantastic figure'?

4. What is the woman under the arch doing?

5. How does Virginia describe Ralph?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Laura attempt to achieve perfection?

4. What is unusual about the headache Virginia suffers?

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

6. Why is Clarissa hurt about Sally going out to lunch with Oliver St. Ives?

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

8. What is significant about the utterance of the word 'hurl'?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the ways in which multiple points of view enrich the narrative in Michael Cunningham's The Hours.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways do you think imagery is important in Michael Cunningham's The Hours? Consider concepts and characters and refer closely to the novel.

Essay Topic 3

How can knowledge of the context in which literature was composed deepen a reader's appreciation of the text? In your answer, refer closely to The Hours by Michael Cunningham, but you might expand your response by including reference to an additional text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,008 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample