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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 happens between Ted and his nurse?

2. What does Isabel claim about the new Mrs. Driffield?

3. What does Mrs. Hudson laugh at?

4. What does the Bear and Key rent William?

5. Where does Rosie live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rosie do at night while Ted writes?

2. How does Ted meet and marry his second wife and what is Isabel Trafford's reaction?

3. How do Rosie and William begin a romantic involvement?

4. How does William re-connect with the Driffields?

5. What does William think about the House of Lords and how he would assign rank within literature?

6. Describe Roy's relationship with the Traffords.

7. Describe Isabel Trafford.

8. Describe the situation that keeps Rosie occupied for a couple weeks and which infuriates William.

9. What do Roy, Amy and William do when William arrives at Amy's home?

10. Describe Isabel's work on Ted's behalf.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase "Cakes and Ale" appears in both Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Aesop's Fable The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Research these two references and discuss the connection they may have to Maugham's book.

3. If you were the writer of Cake and Ale and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Cakes and Ale is perhaps more of a character-driven plot rather than action-driven. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven or action-driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character-driven versus action-driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 7, William wonders why the adult Driffields bother with a dull, quiet, and pretentious adolescent but they take him sailing and picnicking and William becomes passionate about rubbing brasses and occasionally spends time in the church yard talking with Rosie who treats him like a grown-up. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think William's aunt and uncle have a right to fear the influence of Ted and Rosie? Why or why not?

2. William says he becomes passionate about rubbing brasses, which is a pastime Ted introduces to William. What does this say about William's impressionistic nature? Is William easily influenced as a youth? What about as an adult when conferring with Amy and Roy?

3. Do you think having one or two adults outside the family involved in a young person's life makes a difference for that person? How? Is this a positive thing? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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