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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 is Cecilia doing as she goes up and down the stairs before the party?

2. Who files past Cecilia's open casket?

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

4. What does the psychiatrist recommend to Cecilia's parents?

5. What is Mr. Lisbon's hobby?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Cecilia Lisbon die?

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

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

4. What does Cecilia look like in her coffin?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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)

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