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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. Which girl has a secret stash of makeup under the bathroom sink?

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

3. How long before her death does Cecilia begin writing her diary?

4. How much time elapses between the first Lisbon girl's attempt at suicide and the last Lisbon girl's attempt?

5. Which boy is known as the brainy one?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe the appearance of Cecilia's diary.

6. Name three events the boys read about in Cecilia's diary.

7. Why were the boys happy that Joe came to the party?

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

9. What were Mr. Lisbon's problems with the cemeteries he visited?

10. How does the Lisbon girls' party differ from other parties the boys have attended?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the days leading up to and including the multiple suicides, the boys go through a wide variety of emotions. How do the girls' actions affect them? Are the girls leading them along, or are the boys truly emotionally invested? Do they only feel what the girls intend them to? What is their final conclusion as they stare at Bonnie's body hanging from a rafter?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the title The Virgin Suicides: is it appropriate? What does it mean, exactly? Do the characters contribute to its authenticity? Are there actually virgin suicides? Can you think of a better title? If so, what is it, and why would you choose it?

Essay Topic 3

The Virgin Suicides is written from an unusual first-person plural point of view. How does this point of view affect how the story is told? What characters are part of the "we," and why do you think the author uses this deliberate ambiguity?

(see the answer keys)

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