Monday, July 31, 2006
"The String of Beads" Notes and Homework Questions
THE STRING OF BEADS—NOTES
BY W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM
W.SOMERSET MAUGHAM
• BORN IN 1874 IN PARIS AS THE 6TH YOUNGEST SON TO A SOLICITOR OF THE BRITISH EMBASSY
• HE WROTE OF HUMAN BONDAGE WHICH IS HIS BEST KNOWN NOVEL AND IS SEMI-AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL.
• HIS WRITING IS CONSIDERED GREAT NARRATIVE FACILITY, USING SIMPLICITY OF STYLE, DISILLUSIONED AND IRONIC POINT OF VIEW.
• HE LIVED TO BE 91 AND DIED DEC. 16, 1965.
HOMEWORK: DUE THE DAY AFTER WE COMPLETE THE STORY.
THE STRING OF BEADS by W. Somerset Maugham
A. Write a sentence for each of the following words. Sentences must reflect the story.
1. aggrieved
2. bortsch
3. piqued
4. flushed
5. insinuated
B. Briefly answer the following questions.
1. What story does Laura tell? Provide a synopsis
2. How would Laura change the ending of the story.
3. Does the narrator like this kind of story? Why does he or doesn’t he like her proposed ending?
C. Write true or false for each of the following statements about the story.
1. Laura tells the narrator a story.
2. They are enjoying the food at a dinner party.
3. Miss Robinson’s necklace is valued at fifty thousand pounds.
4. Two agents arrive to redeem the necklace they have accused her of stealing.
5. Miss Robinson continues with her job as governess with Sophie after returning from vacation.
D. Briefly answer each question.
1. Who is the narrator of the story?
2. What is the initial setting?
3. When did this story actually happen?
4. Whom did the Livingstones invite to dinner?
5. Who knows more about precious stones than anyone in the world?
6. What does he notice about Miss Robinson?
7. What was Miss Robinson’s reply?
8. Who comes to talk with Miss Robinson during the dinner?
9. What would be thrilling to find out about Miss Robinson according to Laura?
10. What did Miss Robinson throw on the table?
11. What was Miss Robinson’s explanation?
12. What did the men give Miss Robinson?
13. Where does Miss Robinson end up with her 300 pounds?
14. What is the long and short of it?
BY W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM
W.SOMERSET MAUGHAM
• BORN IN 1874 IN PARIS AS THE 6TH YOUNGEST SON TO A SOLICITOR OF THE BRITISH EMBASSY
• HE WROTE OF HUMAN BONDAGE WHICH IS HIS BEST KNOWN NOVEL AND IS SEMI-AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL.
• HIS WRITING IS CONSIDERED GREAT NARRATIVE FACILITY, USING SIMPLICITY OF STYLE, DISILLUSIONED AND IRONIC POINT OF VIEW.
• HE LIVED TO BE 91 AND DIED DEC. 16, 1965.
HOMEWORK: DUE THE DAY AFTER WE COMPLETE THE STORY.
THE STRING OF BEADS by W. Somerset Maugham
A. Write a sentence for each of the following words. Sentences must reflect the story.
1. aggrieved
2. bortsch
3. piqued
4. flushed
5. insinuated
B. Briefly answer the following questions.
1. What story does Laura tell? Provide a synopsis
2. How would Laura change the ending of the story.
3. Does the narrator like this kind of story? Why does he or doesn’t he like her proposed ending?
C. Write true or false for each of the following statements about the story.
1. Laura tells the narrator a story.
2. They are enjoying the food at a dinner party.
3. Miss Robinson’s necklace is valued at fifty thousand pounds.
4. Two agents arrive to redeem the necklace they have accused her of stealing.
5. Miss Robinson continues with her job as governess with Sophie after returning from vacation.
D. Briefly answer each question.
1. Who is the narrator of the story?
2. What is the initial setting?
3. When did this story actually happen?
4. Whom did the Livingstones invite to dinner?
5. Who knows more about precious stones than anyone in the world?
6. What does he notice about Miss Robinson?
7. What was Miss Robinson’s reply?
8. Who comes to talk with Miss Robinson during the dinner?
9. What would be thrilling to find out about Miss Robinson according to Laura?
10. What did Miss Robinson throw on the table?
11. What was Miss Robinson’s explanation?
12. What did the men give Miss Robinson?
13. Where does Miss Robinson end up with her 300 pounds?
14. What is the long and short of it?
# posted by Sister Pat / English @ 5:51 AM 
