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. Who does Maugham call when it becomes clear that Elliott is near to death?

2. What is Suzanne's surname?

3. What is the name of Lary's Yogi?

4. In what room in Edna's house does Maugham steal an invitation?

5. How does Maugham celebrate the completion of the rough draft of his novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Maugham obtain an invitation?

2. Do you think there is anything suspicious about the incident with the vodka?

3. What is the story of Sophie's disappearance?

4. In what ways does the story end happily?

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

6. What does Maugham imagine about Isabel and Gray's life in Texas?

7. What does Elliot leave to the main characters in his will?

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

9. In what way does Maugham criticize the church?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the values of the 1920's.

1) Why was greed and loyalty such an issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters' negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think America was going through a transitional phase in the 1920's? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3)Does modern society share any values with 1920's America?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Bohemian life.

1)What are Bohemians? What are their ideas on life? From where do they get their ideas?

2) What influence have Bohemians had on popular culture?

3) Why is it important for Larry to live the Bohemian life? What do you think Larry will achieve by being a Bohemian?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 905 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample