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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. Where does Mrs. Lisbon take the girls after removing them from school?

2. What appears in the window of Cecilia's old bedroom?

3. Which girl keeps watch for the boys?

4. What does Mr. Lisbon often bring home for his daughters?

5. What color corsages did the boys get for the Lisbon girls?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens on Trip Fontaine's vacation in Acapulco that changes his life significantly?

2. Describe the physical changes happening to the Lisbon home.

3. How does Mr. Lisbon's behavior at school change after Cecilia's suicide?

4. Describe three ways in which the Lisbon girls tried to contact the boys.

5. What signs did the Lisbon girls show of rejoining the community?

6. What is Dr. Hornicker's opinion of Lux after meeting with her in the hospital?

7. What do the boys make of Therese's ham radio conversations?

8. What rebellious activities does Lux engage in?

9. Describe Mr. Lisbon's vision of a ghost.

10. Describe the state of the Lisbon house in Chapter 4.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

We have talked a lot about setting in the context of this novel. Please discuss in an essay what the setting of The Virgin Suicides is, how it affects the story, how it affects the characters, and how the characters affect the setting.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Jeffrey Eugenides opens the book with the last Lisbon girl's suicide. How does that set the tone for the novel? Is it helpful to the reader or does it take away from the story?

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