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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 city is Villa Sangalletti near?

2. What piece of information is Philip surprised to learn from Rainaldi concerning Ambrose's will?

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

4. Who tells the servants and tenants about Ambrose's death?

5. In her letter to Philip, what reason does Rachel give for leaving Italy so suddenly after Ambrose's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The information revealed about Rachel’s past casts a shadow over her, leaving readers wondering if she is good or evil. Write an essay explaining how the author uses information from Rachel’s past as well as subtle clues to influence readers’ opinions of Rachel, and how those clues might be interpreted in different ways.

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

Explain why the author begins the book with the story of Philip seeing the hanged man and why she refers back to it in the final chapter. What does the hanged man have to do with Philip’s experience with Rachel? What does the author hope to convey to the reader through the hanged man and Philip’s reaction to him?

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