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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Danceny give his first note to Cécile?
(a) He gives it to Valmont to pass to her.
(b) He slips it under her bedroom door.
(c) He throws it on her lap.
(d) He hides it in her harp case.

2. What common subjects of social satire is the novel clearly lacking, according to Coward?
(a) Innocent young women and men.
(b) Artists, musicians, and stage actors.
(c) Servants and peasants.
(d) Adult males, financiers, and clergymen.

3. What does Madame de Tourvel offer Valmont?
(a) Her friendship.
(b) Her undying love.
(c) Her hatred.
(d) Her body.

4. What is an "epistolary novel?"
(a) A novel centering around a mythical being.
(b) A novel told from the perspective of a single character.
(c) A novel set in Medieval times.
(d) A novel told through letters.

5. How does Valmont force Madame de Tourvel's maid to help with his plans?
(a) He bribes her with 400 francs.
(b) He rapes her.
(c) He humiliates her by forcing her to be naked.
(d) He threatens to blackmail her.

6. Who does Valmont trick to spend time with the Vicomtesse de M?
(a) Armand.
(b) Merteuil.
(c) Vressac.
(d) Philippe.

7. How was __Les Liaisons Dangereuses_ treated after the turn of the 20th century?
(a) Readers and critics were more likely to praise and study it.
(b) Readers and critics extolled it as the single best novel of the Western hemisphere.
(c) Readers and critics ignored its existence until ten years ago.
(d) Readers and critics reaffirmed the initial 18th-century response.

8. Who is the author of the Editor's Preface?
(a) Laclos' wife, Marie-Soulange Duperré.
(b) A close friend of Laclos.
(c) Philippe-Égalité.
(d) Choderlos de Laclos.

9. According to the author of the Editor's Preface, what is the value of a work of literature?
(a) Its usefulness to society and/or the pleasure it gives its readers.
(b) Its moral obligation to society.
(c) The opportunity it offers its readers to escape their dull, daily lives.
(d) The price it can be sold at; the wealth it can bring its author.

10. What does Laclos favor over the well-trained mind?
(a) A stout constitution.
(b) A sense of humor.
(c) A feeling heart.
(d) A high social station.

11. Who or what does Coward see as at fault for the events of the novel?
(a) The natural, undeniable human sexual curiosity.
(b) The pressures of the social caste system.
(c) The fate handed down by God.
(d) The actions of individuals.

12. How does Valmont act toward Madame de Tourvel, as reported in letter 11?
(a) He is gentlemanly and attentive.
(b) He regales her with licentious tales.
(c) He makes no attempt to conceal his lust.
(d) He ignores her and barely speaks to her.

13. What is the tone of Cécile's letter 55 to Sophie?
(a) Tender and cautious.
(b) Frightened and remorseful.
(c) Adult and experienced.
(d) Gloating and mocking.

14. What does Merteuil think is Valmont's greatest flaw in his plan of seduction?
(a) His reliance on writing letters.
(b) His specific tone of voice with Madame de Tourvel.
(c) His endeavor to appear to have reformed his libertine ways.
(d) His coming on too strong.

15. How does Coward characterize each "chapter" in __Les Liaisons Dangereuses_?
(a) They are "flighty."
(b) They are "stodgy."
(c) They are "theatrical."
(d) They are "identical to one another."

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Valmont's tale of seduction end?

2. In letter 52, what does Valmont accuse Madame de Tourvel of slandering?

3. What does Merteuil do to get herself in the mood for sex with her lover?

4. What euphemism does Merteuil use to refer to her lover?

5. Whom does Merteuil want to manipulate into a relationship with Cécile?

(see the answer keys)

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