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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 is the relationship like between Philip and his godfather after Christmas?

2. What expensive household item does Rachel give Philip as a gift?

3. When it rains steadily for three days, what does Seecombe say that Philip and Rachel should do?

4. What animal does Philip hear while out walking that makes him think of Rachel?

5. What does Philip warn Rachel of before they go to church together for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Ambrose not punish Philip for bringing mice to church with him when he was a boy?

2. What does Philip find in his room after going to Pelyn to arrange for Rachel's allowance, and why does it delight him?

3. Why does Philip think he can keep his name out of the business of giving Rachel an allowance?

4. Nick Kendall tells Philip that people he knows were horrified to learn that Ambrose was marrying Rachel. Why were they horrified?

5. What makes Philip start commenting on the improvement in the foods that are served by his cook?

6. What does Philip say is the difference between Mrs. Pascoe's femininity and Rachel's femininity?

7. How does Philip say Ambrose dealt with things that hurt or shocked him?

8. Why is Nick Kendall upset about Philip giving Rachel the pearl collar?

9. How does Philip avoid seeing his godfather after Christmas?

10. Why does Philip put his muddy feet up on the footstool while Rachel tells him about her visits?

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

Write an essay analyzing the relationship between Louise and Philip. How does each treat the other? How does their relationship impact Philip’s relationship with Rachel? How does their relationship change over the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay discussing how the author explores the nature of good and evil using Rachel and Philip. How does the author make readers doubt Rachel’s intentions? In the end, which characters were good and which were evil?

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