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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. Why does Philip not want to travel with a family friend of Louisa's?

2. Why does William say Philip's prayers do not work?

3. Why does Louisa not know how to behave around children?

4. How does Philip describe the way his father spent money?

5. What two words does Philip use to describe his apprenticeship work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What would have been the only thing that would have changed Philip's mind about quitting school?

2. What question does Philip ask Cronshaw, and what is Cronshaw's response?

3. How does Philip end up paying for his move to Paris?

4. What does Philip study in Germany, and how?

5. What happens after Philip has been in Germany for three months?

6. How does Philip feel after he finally gets the chance to be intimate with Emily?

7. Why do Louisa and William send Philip to King's School?

8. What happens when Fanny insists that the master analyze her work?

9. What does Philip decide to do after his first visit to Paris?

10. How do the boys force Philip to show off his clubfoot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Betrayal is a theme introduced at the very beginning of this book. How does this constant stream of betrayal affect the outcome of the plot, and which characters are most affected by it?

Essay Topic 2

This book takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affected the course of the plot. Why might Maugham have chosen these particular places for this plot to take place?

Essay Topic 3

Despair is a theme that is placed in a number of sensitive places in this plot. What are some of these places, and what role does despair play in this book?

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This section contains 746 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample