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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 Philip see floating in the river after leaving Rainaldi's office?

2. Where does the servant at the villa say that Ambrose liked to sit?

3. After receiving Rachel's letter about coming to England, how does Philip ask his godfather to respond?

4. Why does Philip have to wait until he is 25 to take full control of the estate?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Philip intend to do when Rachel comes to see him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the topic of the novel is a serious one, the author still finds ways to infuse the book with humor. Write an essay explaining how the author uses humor. How does humor affect the reader’s perception of the characters? What does the author hope to achieve through humor?

Essay Topic 2

Philip’s perception of Rachel as a person constantly changes, even before he meets her. Write an essay exploring Philip’s views, how they change, and what changes them.

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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