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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. How does Mrs. Ramsay clean her mind from all the odds of the day after dinner is over?

2. How does Lily react to the rapture that Mr. Bankes feels toward Mrs. Ramsay?

3. Why is Mrs. Ramsay annoyed with Mr. Ramsay when he calls the island a "poor little place"?

4. Why is Mrs. Ramsay so annoyed with Mr. Tansley, thinking him hateful?

5. What helps Mr. Ramsay forget about the annoyances at dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Cam resists her father's attempt at making her smile. What does she remember about her father as she tries to remain true to the pact she makes with James to resist Mr. Ramsay?

2. Describe the condition of the summerhouse after its years of neglect.

3. As Mrs. Ramsay gives the maids instructions during dinner, what is Mr. Bankes thinking?

4. Lily wants to wake up Mr. Carmichael and talk to him about all the questions she has of life, death, and even Mrs. Ramsay. Why does she decide against waking him?

5. Describe the scene as Mr. Bankes, Prue, Andrew, and Lily turn off the lights before going to bed.

6. What are Prue's feelings for her mother, as she sees Mrs. Ramsay at the top of the stairs?

7. What does Mr. Ramsay say to try and please his wife while they are walking on the grounds of the summerhouse?

8. Mrs. Ramsay tucks James into bed and he asks about going to the Lighthouse. What is Mrs. Ramsay's response and what is she thinking as she answers James?

9. What is Mr. Carmichael's opinion of Lily when she refuses to give Mr. Ramsay the sympathy he is looking for?

10. How does Lily describe the Ramsay's married life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Compare the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay. Which character gives more to their relationship? Explain.

2) How do their views differ on life, marriage, and children?

3) Which character is more realistic in his or her view of life? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

1) Mrs. Ramsay feels James will always remember the disappointment of not going to the lighthouse.

2) When does James remember that day?

3) Where is he when he remembers and what is is he doing?

4) What kind of an emotional impact does the memory have on him?

Essay Topic 3

1) What is the message Woolf is trying to convey about life in the novel?

2) Does she depict a realistic and relevant view of human nature through the Ramsay family and friends?

3) Are the human qualities of each character true to life? Explain.

4) How do the characters convey the everyday struggles of life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 973 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample