Mr. Know All - practice questions

Book

Page 36

11. My answer: I think Mr. Ramsay made the bet with Mr. Kelada because he wanted to find out wether his wife cheated on him and got the necklace from a rich lover in New York or not.

    Teacher's answer: Mr. Ramsay wanted to prove to Mr. Kelada that he is not really someone who knows everything, a "know-all". After all their arguments, Mr. Ramsay want to win this one.

    Inferring - from the fact that Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Kelada argued bitterly. Cause and effect - cause: Mr. Kelada was always sure of himself and argued a lot with Mr. Ramsay. Effect: Mr. Ramsay wanted to win. Uncovering motives

12. 1. My answer: Mrs. Ramsay's reaction to the bet makes the narrator feel like something is about to occur. Teacher's answer: The narrator feels like something is about to go wrong. the narrator notices that Mrs. Ramsay tries to prevent the bet by telling her husband not to bet, and saying she can't remove the chain. Later, the narrator sees her terrified face. (inferring)
    2. The narrator doesn't do anything about it.

15. My answer: This would have made Mr. Ramsay doubt what Mrs. Ramsay tells him, and she would probably be called out for cheating on him. Teacher's answer: There would have probably been a fight. Everyone would know Mrs. Ramsay had lied. She might have lied more. (predicting)

Page 37 - Bridging

1. Because Maugham experienced prejudice, he might have exaggerated the prejudice of the narrator to make it more obvious.
2. Maugham probably had prejudices, because most people do. Furthermore, he might have been specifically prejudiced against the British.
3. This information makes the message of the story clear. It also adds a layer of depth. We can understand why Maugham presented a very prejudiced British narrator, and we can see how prejudice affects good judgement.