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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 did Ambrose use to teach Philip the alphabet?

2. What does Rachel joke that Aunt Phoebe died of?

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

4. What does Nick Kendall suggest Philip begin doing before Ambrose and Rachel return home in case they have a baby?

5. What was the hanged man convicted of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the servant at the villa tell Philip was Ambrose's and Rachel's normal routine in the summer?

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

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

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

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

6. How did Ambrose say that Rachel is related to the Ashley family?

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

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

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

10. Why does Louise say that Philip must have the house cleaned up before Rachel visits?

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

Throughout the novel, Philip’s moods and attitudes toward people and places change based on what is going on in his life. Explain how the author conveys his feelings through descriptions of settings and events as well as through her word choices.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 645 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample