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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 does Mrs. Ramsay think are getting engaged?

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

3. Why does Mrs. Ramsay want Lily to get married?

4. What did Mr. Tansley tell Lily at one time about women's artistic abilities?

5. What is William Bankes' assessment of Lily Briscoe?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mrs. Ramsay so agitated about Nancy, Andrew, Minta, and Paul being late for supper?

2. What is the state of mind of the family and guests of Mrs. Ramsay as dinner comes to an end?

3. What are James' thoughts about his father when Mr. Ramsay predicts that the weather will not be good enough for the trip to the lighthouse?

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

5. Summarize the conversation between Mr. Bankes and Lily Briscoe as they are strolling together.

6. How does Lily Briscoe envision Mrs. Ramsay after she screams out Mrs. Ramsay's name in grief?

7. Why is Lily surprised by the tears streaming down her face as she reminisces while painting?

8. Why is Mr. Ramsay enraged, pacing back and forth on the terrace?

9. Why does Cam feel happy as she lifts her hand out of the sea?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs. Ramsay and Lily Briscoe.

2) Summarize the impact each character has on one another.

3) How is each character realistic in her view toward life, considering the time period in which the story takes place?

4) How do their roles as women differ? Cite examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

1) Analyze the resolution of the story as it relates to each of the characters in the novel.

2) Explain the metamorphosis each of them experiences in the final chapter.

3) Describe how Lily's words," It is finished", relate to James, Cam, Mr. Ramsay, Lily, and Mr. Carmichael.

Essay Topic 3

1) Analyze James coming of age throughout the novel.

2) What fears and emotions does he experience as he grows in the three parts of the novel?

3) How do his attitudes change as he develops from a young boy into a young man?

4) Cite examples of the character changes James goes through from each of the three parts of the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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