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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 is Dominic from?

2. What does Mrs. Pitzenberger think she sees in Cecilia's hand?

3. Which sister has her own bedroom?

4. Where is Mr. Lisbon's razor found?

5. What does Mr. Lisbon say was Cecilia's state of mind the day she killed herself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe a few of the changes the boys noticed at the Lisbon house after Cecilia came home from the hospital.

2. What are Cecilia's two moods toward the end of the diary?

3. Describe Cecilia Lisbon's first attempt at suicide.

4. What does the cemetery where Cecilia's service is held look like?

5. What did Cecilia do on the last day of her life?

6. Describe Cecilia's ascent from the party to her bedroom.

7. When Peter Sissen reports back to the boys about his time inside the Lisbon house, what does Paul Baldino vow to do?

8. What happens in the Baldinos' backyard to arouse neighborhood suspicions?

9. Who was Dominic Palazzano and what was his part in Cecilia's story?

10. What does Cecilia look like in her coffin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Old Mrs. Karafilis is introduced in Chapter 4 and is only active for a short portion of the book. She, however, represents several important factors otherwise missing from the characters surrounding the Lisbon girls' tragedy. Describe Old Mrs. Karafilis, her connection to the girls, and the importance her character has on the telling of the story.

Essay Topic 2

Jeffrey Eugenides opens the book with the last Lisbon girl's suicide. How does that set the tone for the novel? Is it helpful to the reader or does it take away from the story?

Essay Topic 3

At the dance, Therese says to her date, "We just want to live. If anyone would let us." What does she mean? Are the Lisbon girls not living? Is she referring to Cecilia, or to her own future suicide? Is there someone or something refusing to let them live?

(see the answer keys)

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