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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. Who is Mr. Alton?

2. What is Mrs. Lisbon's reaction to Cecilia's asking to leave the party?

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

4. Why are the neighborhood children kept from the funeral?

5. How does Cecilia first attempt suicide?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cecilia look like in her coffin?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Describe the appearance of Cecilia's diary.

9. How did the emergency workers retrieve Cecilia's body?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Communication--and the lack of it--plays a crucial role in the telling of this story. Please discuss ways in which the Lisbon girls communicate with the outside and with one another, as well as how a lack of communication affects the story.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample