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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Cécile tell Danceny in letter 49?
(a) That Merteuil convinced her to continue writing to him.
(b) That she will meet him at a secret location to consummate their love.
(c) That she wants to continue their relationship.
(d) That her duty to God and her future husband prevent her from being with him.

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

3. What is the main rule of Valmont's and Merteuil's seductions?
(a) Nothing to incriminate themselves should exist in writing.
(b) Married people are off-limits.
(c) They cannot interfere in one another's schemes.
(d) Seductions of impressionable teens are the only worthwhile seductions.

4. What does Valmont say is notable about the man pursuing Merteuil?
(a) Through skilled conversation, he can get anyone to admit to anything.
(b) He ranks high in the King's court.
(c) He is well endowed.
(d) He is ugly, but nevertheless a great seducer.

5. What does Madame de Tourvel allow Valmont to do?
(a) Write to her while they are apart.
(b) Stay at Madame de Rosemonde's estate.
(c) Tell Madame de Rosemonde about his feelings for her.
(d) Have sex with her.

6. Why is Cécile unable to go to the opera with Merteuil?
(a) Madame de Volanges prohibits her daughter from seeing Merteuil.
(b) Madame de Volanges does not approve of the opera.
(c) Madame de Volanges is ill and wishes her daughter to stay with her.
(d) Madame de Volanges is suspicious of her daughter.

7. How does Merteuil respond to Valmont's warning about the man who wants to pursue her?
(a) She takes Valmont's advice to beware.
(b) She resolves to reform the man's libertine ways.
(c) She ignores his warning and forgets the man.
(d) She decides to pursue the man.

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

9. What ruse does Valmont use to attempt to secretly rifle through Madame de Tourvel's letters?
(a) He complains of a headache.
(b) He fakes a nosebleed and leaves the room.
(c) He says he is going hunting.
(d) He pretends to be a burglar in the night.

10. How does Valmont make sure that Madame de Tourvel will read his first letter?
(a) He hides it in her writing desk so she will see it.
(b) He gives it to her maid to deliver to her.
(c) He leaves it in plain sight so she is forced to take it.
(d) He corners her and reads it aloud.

11. What does Merteuil call the woman Valmont wishes to seduce?
(a) A trollop.
(b) A child.
(c) A hag.
(d) A prude.

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

13. What does Merteuil do to get herself in the mood for sex with her lover?
(a) She daydreams.
(b) She reads.
(c) She gazes at herself in the mirror.
(d) She drinks wine.

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

15. How did Laclos' contemporary critics feel his novel would impact society?
(a) The novel would offer scrupulous moral lessons.
(b) The novel would challenge the political regime.
(c) The novel would showcase French literary talent.
(d) The novel would corrupt more people than it saved.

Short Answer Questions

1. In letter 15, what does Valmont call Merteuil about her attentions to her current lover?

2. What was the beginning of Laclos' military career like?

3. What else does David Coward, author of the Introduction, insist is a factor in libertine novels?

4. How does Cécile initially feel about Danceny?

5. Who are the two people Cécile admits she likes best?

(see the answer keys)

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