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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 tell Philip he can do in her boudoir that surprises him?

2. Why does Philip think Louise is more perceptive than her father after he shares his suspicions about Rachel with Nick Kendall?

3. What condition causes Ambrose to go abroad in the winters?

4. How old is Don?

5. What reason does Seecombe give for changing his mind about having a woman in the house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What makes Philip think that Ambrose may have had a premonition of his death?

4. Why does Philip think Rainaldi looked shocked when they first met?

5. Why was Rachel jealous of Philip when Ambrose was alive?

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

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

8. Why does Rachel wear only one color of gown?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

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?

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