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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 did Ambrose present Don to Philip when he was a child?

2. What reason does Rainaldi give Philip for his not having been told about Ambrose's illness?

3. How does Philip feel when he realizes he now owns the estate?

4. Where is Ambrose buried?

5. Where did Philip go to university?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rainaldi tell Philip the doctors said was the cause of Ambrose's strange behavior before his death?

2. What does Philip find striking about the portrait he sees hanging in Aunt Phoebe's rooms before Rachel comes?

3. Why was Philip raised by Ambrose?

4. Why does Ambrose tell Philip that Tom Jenkyn had no excuse for killing his wife?

5. Why was Louise excited about the idea of Ambrose returning to the estate with a wife?

6. Why does Nick Kendall suggest that Ambrose may have been drunk when he reads a letter Philip received from him?

7. Why does Rachel say she felt strange when arriving at Philip's house?

8. What does Philip intend to do when Rachel comes to see him?

9. Why do the servants address Philip differently when he returns home from Italy?

10. Why does Philip feel ashamed of his feelings when Ambrose wrote to say he was engaged?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the topic of the novel is a serious one, the author still finds ways to infuse the book with humor. Write an essay explaining how the author uses humor. How does humor affect the reader’s perception of the characters? What does the author hope to achieve through humor?

Essay Topic 2

Nick Kendall believes that some women draw tragedy to themselves. Write an essay that either supports or refutes this statement using examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The author explores how women are perceived by others. She uses both Rachel and Louise to explore this idea. Explain how the author uses Rachel and Louise to examine the perception of women and how the way others perceive them affects the plot of the novel.

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This section contains 615 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample