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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 Thompson offer to the other passengers?

2. What is Macphail's opinion of the Davidsons?

3. Name one thing that has been eliminated from Davidson's district.

4. What region is designated for the Davidsons?

5. Who is enamored of Thompson?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who lives in the area above the trader's store?

2. At this point, how far are the travelers from their destination?

3. What is Mrs. Davidson's opinion on the fashion of the natives?

4. Briefly describe the personality of Dr. Macphail.

5. What happens when Davidson storms into Thompson's room?

6. What bad news is brought by Davidson?

7. What is the basis of the argument? What is the outcome?

8. What are the Macphails' activities the following morning?

9. What is the reaction of the women when they learn about Thompson's arrival?

10. What is the mode of transportation mentioned at the beginning of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thompson had a plan to go to Australia. The plan was thwarted by Davidson's intervention with the governor. Discuss the steps taken by Davidson as well as his reasons. Explain the reaction of the governor. What was Thompson's reaction to the news of her foiled plan? What did Thompson do to try and reverse the decision?

Essay Topic 2

Rain obviously plays a large part in the story. Explain Maugham's use of rain and related metaphors. How did the rain affect the various characters in the story? What might have changed if the weather had been more agreeable? How did the weather affect the future of the travelers? How did it affect the personalities and moods of the characters? How are you affected by prolonged bouts of rain?

Essay Topic 3

Why did Davidson commit suicide? What was Macphail's assessment of the way in which Davidson chose to do it? What is your opinion? What other options might Davidson have exercised rather than suicide? Would there have been a less painful way to do it? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 517 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample