View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Elliott leave to Maugham in his will?

2. What does Elliott miss while he is bedridden?

3. For what does Mr. Achilles marry his previous wife?

4. What is the subject of Larry's book?

5. What city in Spain does Larry visit?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Suzanne become a successful artist?

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

3. How does Sophie give in to temptation?

4. Explain what Larry sees and feels when he experiences the Absolute?

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

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

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

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

9. What is Isabel's terrible news?

10. What does the Indian say is significant about the sculptures in the cave?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does Maugham use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 2

In 1984, The Razor's Edge was made into a famous film noir film starring Bill Murray. Why do you think the themes and ideas in the book were still relevant forty years later? Do you think the ideas are timeless and universal? Why do you think, in the film, Larry went to Tibet and not India?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Maugham's life. In what way do you think his life and personality are reflected in the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample