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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part I: Letters 1 through 15.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Madame de Volanges say about Valmont to Madame de Tourvel in letter 9?
(a) Valmont has an excellent reputation around town.
(b) Valmont has an addiction to gambling.
(c) Valmont is trustworthy and honest.
(d) Valmont is dangerous and deceitful.

2. What does the author of the Editor's Preface claim he has done?
(a) Written the story of his own group of friends into the form of letters.
(b) Collected and organized real letters, and provided occasional notes.
(c) Written all the letters himself, from the perspective of fictional characters.
(d) Translated these letters from another language into French.

3. According to Merteuil in letter 10, which pretext do women use to submit to sexual pleasure with a man?
(a) Women use the excuse of weak-mindedness.
(b) Women allow themselves to be raped.
(c) Women come to secret agreements with their lovers.
(d) Women initiate their own seductions.

4. How does Valmont contrive to grope the woman he wants to seduce?
(a) By grabbing her from behind.
(b) By helping her mount a horse.
(c) By carrying her across a ditch.
(d) By pretending to stumble into her.

5. What is the name of the school-friend to whom Cécile writes?
(a) Sophie.
(b) Eliza.
(c) Émilie.
(d) Francoise.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Valmont think it possible to seduce this woman?

2. Who or what does Coward see as at fault for the events of the novel?

3. How did Laclos' contemporary critics feel his novel would impact society?

4. With which philosophical movement of the 18th century is Laclos associated?

5. What does Madame de Tourvel promise to Madame de Volanges in letter 11?

(see the answer key)

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