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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 major event has never happened in the town during the boys' lifetimes?

2. Which Lisbon sister used a depilatory wax?

3. Why are no bodies being buried during Chapter 2?

4. What does Mrs. Lisbon notice about her daughter's appearance inside the casket?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mr. Lisbon have to take a tour of several cemeteries?

2. What do the adult boys discover about Mr. and Mrs. Lisbon after speaking to Mr. Lisbon?

3. Describe the appearance of Cecilia's diary.

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

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

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

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

8. Describe Cecilia's bedroom.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lux Lisbon becomes the one that we as readers know the most intimately. In a well-developed essay, describe her character, how it differs from her sisters', and how she fits into her family.

Essay Topic 2

Compare the story of the Lisbon girls to the story of the dying elm trees. How does one represent the other? How are they connected?

Essay Topic 3

Please discuss the use and effectiveness of foreshadowing throughout the novel. How does Eugenides use it to set the tone? How does it affect the reader? Is it effective? Please explain your answer.

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