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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. Who advised Mary not to marry Matthew?

2. Why does Mary think the tip she leaves will mean a great deal?

3. How does Mary describe how Matthew was at first?

4. Why is Edgar visiting?

5. What does Nina remind Mary to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary meet Karl Richter?

2. How does Mary begin to respond to Matthew's drinking?

3. What does Mary think of the Princess' comments on marriage to Edgar?

4. Why is Mary conflicted about attending the party?

5. How does Karl present himself?

6. What is Mary's response to Rowley's questions about Edgar and how does Rowley respond?

7. What does Mary point out about Rowley's reputation and what is his response?

8. What does the Colonel think of Edgar's prospects in his career?

9. How has Mary been spending her time lately and what bearing does that have to do with Mary being at the villa?

10. What does narration say of the villa in which Mary is staying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Plots are sometimes said to be either character-driven or action-driven. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think Up at the Villa is more character-driven or action-driven? Explain.

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 8, Mary discusses her previous marriage with Matthew by saying that Matthew was charming, kind and fun until he was drinking and that even from the beginning she was distressed and ashamed of him when he went into drunken rages. Mary tells Rowley that she tried desperately to save Matthew from the drinking but that she couldn't, though sometimes they'd have horrible fights over it. Mary admits that she came to despise Matthew, knowing as she did about his secretive drinking and the affairs, but says she felt he was so dependent on her that she couldn't bring herself to end the marriage. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write a brief definition with examples of the term "co-dependent."

2. Do you think Mary is co-dependent with Matthew by the descriptions she gives of her behavior with him? Why or why not. Be sure to include specific examples to support your points.

3. In what other situations is Mary co-dependent? Be specific.

4. Do you think Mary is cured of her codependency by the end of the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

W. Somerset Maugham was quite a prolific writer and lead a somewhat unconventional life for the times. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write an informative essay about the life of W. Somerset Maugham.

2. In what ways do Maugham's beliefs seem to be reflected in Up at the Villa?

3. Do you think Maugham is more like Swift or Flint? Explain your answer with examples from your research and the text.

4. How much of an author's personality do you think is reflected in his/her writing? Can an author keep him/herself completely out of the text? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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