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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 trait of Rachel's does Ambrose praise in his initial letters to Philip about her?

2. What month is it when Philip decides to go to Italy to see Ambrose?

3. What item of Ambrose's did Rachel forget to take with her from the villa?

4. What does the servant at the villa tell Philip has been done with Ambrose's clothes?

5. What is the name of the horse that Rachel rides?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does Rachel give in her letter for having taken all of Ambrose's possessions from the villa after he died?

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

3. What does Rachel do that impresses Philip while she and Philip are out riding the estate?

4. Why does Nick Kendall think it was wrong for Ambrose to have brought Philip up without women in his life?

5. Why did Ambrose start travelling during the winter months?

6. What reason does Philip give Rachel for not hating her now that he has met her?

7. Why was Philip raised by Ambrose?

8. Why does Rainaldi think that Rachel will never return to Italy?

9. Shortly after Rachel's arrival, why does Tamlyn fail to come and collect his pay at the usual time?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay discussing good and evil in the novel. How does the author challenge the reader’s notion of what is good and evil? In the end, which of the characters is good and which is evil?

Essay Topic 2

One of du Maurier’s central themes is the nature of women. Write an essay discussing the theme. How does the author use Rachel and Louise to demonstrate the nature of women? What idea is the author trying to convey? How does she deliver her message?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the influence Philip’s upbringing had on him. How does it affect his relationships with women, particularly Louise and Rachel? How does it affect his views of women and marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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