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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 have the police found Sophie's body?

2. Where does Elliott say he should have never left?

3. Why does Larry visit Seville?

4. What does Elliott say the U.S is becoming?

5. Why does Isabel think Sophie's disappearance is for the best?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Suzanne become a successful artist?

2. Why does Isabel leave the vodka to tempt Sophie?

3. In what way has Elliot changed from the last time Maugham saw him?

4. What does Larry learn about evil in India?

5. Why is Elliott so upset at not being invited to Edna's party?

6. What is Isabel's terrible news?

7. Describe the cafe in which Maugham and Larry drink?

8. In what way does Maugham criticize the church?

9. What is Maugham's opinion of Isabel's character?

10. How does Isabel react to Sophie's disappearance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the novel's characterization. How well drawn do you think Maugham's characters are? Select one of the minor characters such as Mrs.Bradley and discuss how much you know about her background. In what ways does Maugham provide the reader with information about that character?

Essay Topic 2

The Razor's Edge is written in the first person and with the author himself as narrator. Why do you think Maugham chose to write the story in the first person? How do you think the meaning of the story would have changed if it were written in the third person? What difference does it make it make to the story that Maugham is one of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

The Razor's Edge is a famous book which has greatly influenced modern literature. Choose a book written after The Razor's Edge that you think was influenced by the novel and discuss there similarities in terms of

a) plot

b) character

c) themes

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample