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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. Where do the women walk?

2. From what does Davidson suffer?

3. Who spends time talking with Thompson?

4. How does Macphail view Davidson?

5. What does Macphail give to Thompson?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the interaction between Thompson and the other travelers over the next few days.

2. Describe the encounter between Thompson and the other women. What is the result of Thompson's actions?

3. What happens the night before Thompson is due to leave the island for San Francisco?

4. Describe Thompson's physical change during this time.

5. What is Davidson's latest epiphany regarding Thompson and her reluctance to go to San Francisco?

6. What is the governor's opinion of Davidson?

7. What is Horn's forecast for the island's weather? Is this a common occurrence?

8. What is the confession Mrs. Davidson makes to Dr. Macphail?

9. What are Macphail's thoughts regarding the confession?

10. What is Davidson's solution to Thompson's predicament?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 592 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample