View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What literary tradition does Coward see as applicable?
(a) Romanticism.
(b) Don Juanism.
(c) Sentimentality.
(d) Elegiac poetry.

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

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 initiate their own seductions.
(d) Women come to secret agreements with their lovers.

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

5. In letter 26, what does Madame de Tourvel blame on her impassioned outburst?
(a) Her sudden confusion at the turn of events.
(b) The true feelings of love pouring into her heart.
(c) Her sense of security made her unwary.
(d) The unbelieving portions of her mind and heart.

6. What occurs in the tale of seduction Valmont tells Merteuil in letter 79?
(a) One woman seduces three brothers.
(b) Valmont himself and two unnamed women.
(c) Three couples get hoodwinked by one man.
(d) The many mistresses of the King.

7. What does Madame de Volanges threaten to do to Danceny?
(a) Ban him from her house.
(b) Publicly expose him.
(c) Have him arrested.
(d) Bankrupt him.

8. How does Madame de Tourvel react when Valmont professes his love?
(a) She stands bemused and silent.
(b) She bursts into tears.
(c) She faints on the floor.
(d) She scolds him.

9. Who are the two people Cécile admits she likes best?
(a) Merteuil and Danceny.
(b) Danceny and Madame de Volanges.
(c) Merteuil and Madame de Rosemonde.
(d) Valmont and Merteuil.

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

11. What was the beginning of Laclos' military career like?
(a) He was garrisoned in provincial towns and saw no battle action.
(b) He became a decorated hero and military adviser to the King.
(c) He set sail for India and China to support France's colonial efforts.
(d) He fought constantly in the Seven Years' War.

12. What does Merteuil call Danceny in letter 38?
(a) Canny and secretive.
(b) Brainy and obtuse.
(c) Stupid and boring.
(d) Quiet and wise.

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

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

15. Who notified Madame de Volanges of Cécile and Danceny's romance?
(a) Merteuil.
(b) Madame de Tourvel.
(c) Cécile, accidentally.
(d) Valmont.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Into which main form(s) was __Les Liaisons Dangereuses_ reproduced in the 20th century?

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

4. How does Danceny give his first note to Cécile?

5. What has Merteuil tricked Cécile into doing?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 589 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample