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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is Mrs. Van Osburgh?
(a) A divorced party guest.
(b) The hostess of the party at Bellomont.
(c) A wealthy social rival of Mrs. Trenor.
(d) Lily's aunt, with whom she resides.

2. Why must Lily comply with Mrs. Trenor's request in book 1, chapter 4?
(a) She is the least wealthy member of her social group, so her soacial standing depends on helping Mrs. Trenor.
(b) Her aunt has become deathly ill and has no one else to care for her.
(c) Everyone at the party must take turns helping Mrs. Trenor.
(d) Mrs. Trenor threatens to tell Percy Gryce that Lily is searching for a wealthy husband.

3. What is the result of Lily's activities the first night of the party?
(a) She is banished from the party for cheating.
(b) She finds the man she wishes to marry.
(c) She repeats a hurtful rumor.
(d) She gambles and loses most of her money.

4. Why is Grace Stepney angry about the party?
(a) The party is on the same night as another social engagement.
(b) She has nothing suitable to wear to the party.
(c) She is not allowed to help plan the party.
(d) She is not invited to the party.

5. Who is Gerty Farish?
(a) Lawrence Selden's married sister.
(b) Lawrence Selden's cousin.
(c) Lily's cousin.
(d) Lily's best friend.

6. The House of Mirth take place during what period?
(a) Early 1800s.
(b) Mid-1800s.
(c) Mid-1900s.
(d) Early 1900s.

7. How does Lily feel when she sees Lawrence Selden at her cousin's wedding?
(a) Unaffected.
(b) Excited.
(c) Relieved.
(d) Suspicious.

8. What does Lawrence Selden see when he goes to the Trenor house to look for Lily?
(a) He sees Gus Trenor push Lily down a flight of stairs.
(b) He sees the police taking Gus Trenor away.
(c) He sees Lily and Mrs. Trenor arguing.
(d) He sees Lily waving to Gus Trenor as she leaves the house.

9. What is Carry Fischer's job?
(a) She helps newly rich families enter high society.
(b) She is a professional party-planner for the social elite.
(c) She is a social worker.
(d) She is an investment broker.

10. What does Mrs. Trenor tell Lily after Bertha Dorset talks to Percy Gryce about her?
(a) Mrs. Trenor tells Lily to confront Bertha Dorset.
(b) Mrs. Trenor tells Lily to forget about Percy Gryce.
(c) Mrs. Trenor tells Lily to ignore Bertha Dorset.
(d) Mrs. Trenor tells Lily what Bertha Dorset said about her.

11. What does nouveau riche mean?
(a) New money.
(b) A novel about rich people.
(c) Rich food.
(d) A novel about money.

12. What does Gus Trenor want Lily to do now that he is a successful investor?
(a) He wants Lily to tell Mrs. Trenor that he wants a divorce.
(b) He wants Lily to give him more money.
(c) He wants Lily to spend more time with him.
(d) He wants Lily to work for him as his secretary.

13. What is Lily concerned about at the beginning of chapter 2, book 1?
(a) Being on time for the party at Bellomont.
(b) Her reputation.
(c) Making friends at the party at Bellomont.
(d) Her social schedule being too busy.

14. Where does The House of Mirth take place?
(a) Paris, France.
(b) Boston, Massachusetts.
(c) London, England.
(d) New York City, New York.

15. What does the note that Lily finds next to her bedside from Lawrence Selden say ?
(a) He reveals that he knows about her financial arrangement with Gus Trenor.
(b) He wants to see her the next day.
(c) He tells her that he has proposed to Gerty Farish.
(d) He tells her that he loves her.

Short Answer Questions

1. What hobby of Percy Gryce's does Lily discuss with him while on the train to the party at Bellomont?

2. What does Lily tell Simon when he questions her presence at Lawrence's apartment building?

3. Who interrupts Lily's flirtations with Percy on the train?

4. What is Lily's plan for Percy Gryce whom she meets while on the train to Bellomont?

5. How does Lily acquire letters found by Mrs. Haffen, Lawrence Selden's cleaning lady?

(see the answer keys)

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