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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 Mildred hope will happen when she gives birth?

2. What does William ask Philip to paint after the funeral?

3. Why is Philip thinking about quitting his art?

4. Who cares for Philip when he is sick in London?

5. Who does Lawson get into a relationship with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Philip lose all of his money?

2. What surprises Philip when he returns to Blackstable for his aunt's funeral?

3. How does Philip feel about Mildred's baby living with him?

4. How does Philip pass his make-up exams?

5. Where does Philip get a large sum of money, and what does he use it for?

6. What does Philip begin to think when he deals with Fanny's despair?

7. What does Philip notice about his art while he is on vacation with Lawson and Ruth?

8. What is the final event that makes Philip decide to quit his art?

9. What news does Norah have when Philip goes to visit her?

10. Where does Philip take Mildred on their first date, and how does he enjoy it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affected the course of the plot. Why might Maugham have chosen these particular places for this plot to take place?

Essay Topic 2

What are some of the key examples of gratitude in this book, and how do these instances affect that characters involved in those scenes?

Essay Topic 3

Power and Greed are two common themes in this plot, especially shown by Mildred. Where do they appear, and how do they differ in their manifestations?

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