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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was Laclos' relationship with his own wife and children?
(a) He was warm and loving.
(b) He was cold and distant.
(c) He was harsh and abusive.
(d) He was timid and shy.

2. 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 is ugly, but nevertheless a great seducer.
(c) He ranks high in the King's court.
(d) He is well endowed.

3. In letter 20, what does Merteuil promise Valmont upon the success of his seduction of Madame de Tourvel?
(a) That she will introduce him to another young lady.
(b) That she will never speak to him again.
(c) That she will sleep with him.
(d) That she will admit he is better at seductions than she.

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

5. 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.

6. Whom does Merteuil want to manipulate into a relationship with Cécile?
(a) Valmont.
(b) Monsieur de Tourvel.
(c) Azolan.
(d) Danceny.

7. What advice does Valmont give to Madame de Tourvel?
(a) Tell others of his love for Valmont, and they will understand.
(b) Succumb to desire and she will pay the price.
(c) Desert her husband, in order to marry Valmont.
(d) Love, and her fears will vanish.

8. Who wrote the Publisher's Foreword to _Les Liasons Dangerueses_?
(a) The owner of the shop in which the book was printed.
(b) Laclos' wife, Marie-Soulange Duperré.
(c) The Duke d'Orleans.
(d) Choderlos de Laclos.

9. Why, says Madame de Tourvel in letter 78, was she wary toward Valmont when they first met?
(a) His jocular disposition irritated her.
(b) His negative reputation put her on her guard.
(c) She was confused about her feelings towards him.
(d) She resented being the object of his affection.

10. How do today's readers of Laclos interpret his novel?
(a) They neglect several characters and only focus on one or two.
(b) They always apply Laclos' personal history to the meaning of the novel.
(c) They cannot agree on the ambiguous meanings and motivations of the characters.
(d) They find that each character has definite motivations.

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

12. What is Valmont and Danceny's relationship as of letter 57?
(a) Open and trusting.
(b) They do not have a relationship.
(c) Wary and cautious.
(d) Vengeful and angry.

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

14. Whom does Cécile's mother intend for her to marry?
(a) The Chevalier Danceny.
(b) The Comte de Gercourt.
(c) Monsieur de Prévan.
(d) The Vicomte de Valmont.

15. How does Cécile initially feel about Danceny?
(a) She hates his strict style of teaching.
(b) She falls deeply in love with him.
(c) She feels ambivalent about him and he bores her.
(d) She likes him and wants to please him with her musical abilities.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Danceny refuse to do, despite Madame de Volanges' request?

2. What message does the Publisher's Foreword give?

3. What does Merteuil call Danceny in letter 38?

4. Who is the author of the Editor's Preface?

5. What does Madame de Volanges say about Valmont to Madame de Tourvel in letter 9?

(see the answer keys)

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