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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 does Rachel give Philip to tuck under his pillow as a joke on Seecombe?

2. Who was the last person to wear the pearl collar before Philip gives it to Rachel?

3. What kind of lessons does Rachel want to teach?

4. Who is angry about Rachel wearing the pearl collar?

5. Why does Philip think it is strange to have Rachel in church with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Philip find in his room after going to Pelyn to arrange for Rachel's allowance, and why does it delight him?

2. Why did Ambrose compare Rachel's spending to kleptomania?

3. Why does Seecombe set the table with the good silver and other finery when Rainaldi comes to visit?

4. Why is Nick Kendall upset about Philip giving Rachel the pearl collar?

5. Why does Rainaldi call Philip a "young Solomon?" (157)

6. Why does Rachel say she asked Ambrose not to tell Philip about the baby she was pregnant with?

7. After the Sunday dinner guests leave, what does Rachel say she likes about entertaining?

8. What made the relationship between Philip and Nick Kendall "cool" after Christmas?

9. What is the special about the pearl collar that Philip gives Rachel for Christmas?

10. What makes Philip start commenting on the improvement in the foods that are served by his cook?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain why the author begins the book with the story of Philip seeing the hanged man and why she refers back to it in the final chapter. What does the hanged man have to do with Philip’s experience with Rachel? What does the author hope to convey to the reader through the hanged man and Philip’s reaction to him?

Essay Topic 2

During Philip’s illness, he is delusional. Write an essay analyzing the dreams and delusions that Philip has. How do they relate to the story? How do they influence his view of Rachel?

Essay Topic 3

Money, or the lack of it, changes the way that people think and act. The author shows this through both Philip and Rachel. Write an essay explaining how money affects the lives of both characters and examining how the author uses the characters to support this idea.

(see the answer keys)

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