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

2. How do people know that Cecilia has attempted suicide a second time?

3. Which of the Lisbon girls is the first to attempt suicide?

4. What accessory is Cecilia wearing at the party?

5. When, according to the boys, had "the majority of the dying" occurred?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did the boys obtain Cecilia's diary?

4. Describe the appearance of Cecilia's diary.

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

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

7. What does Peter Sissen find in the Lisbon girls' bathroom?

8. What major revelation do the boys have upon entering the Lisbon girls' party?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Mr. and Mrs. Lisbon. What is their relationship like? What are their relationships with their daughters like? How does the male-female dynamic play out in these two characters?

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

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?

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