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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. Where does Clarissa find Richard?

2. What is the very long chapter in Richard's novel concerned with?

3. What is little Richie's response to his mother's return?

4. What gives Mrs. Latch's garage the look of a miniature house?

5. What is Louis' sad observation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which character is referred to as the subjugated Amazon Queen?

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

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

4. What is Richard's most precious memory of Clarissa?

5. What does Louis think of Clarissa?

6. Why has Virginia's attitude changed?

7. Why is suicide not an option for Laura?

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

9. What fears does Virginia have at this point in the novel?

10. Over what matters concerning Julia does Clarissa worry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Writing has been said to hold a mirror to life. What do you see of life in The Hours and how is this vision significant?

Essay Topic 3

'In the debate about life versus suicide that tracks across the pages of Cunningham's The Hours, there is no winner.' Do you agree?

(see the answer keys)

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