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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Valmont ask Madame de Tourvel to do in letter 35?
(a) Divorce her husband, the judge.
(b) Give him the names of those saying bad things about him.
(c) Move to Paris so they can be seen in society together.
(d) Commit to a sexual relationship with him.

3. How does Coward recommend the novel should be criticized?
(a) By referencing only the text itself, and no outside information.
(b) By using a variety of critical theories and methodologies.
(c) By placing the novel only in the context of 18th-century France.
(d) By employing only what the reader knows about Laclos' life.

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

5. Whom does Valmont plan to seduce?
(a) Josephine.
(b) Merteuil.
(c) Madame de Volanges.
(d) Madame de Tourvel.

6. How does Cécile generally feel about the prospect of soon being married?
(a) Excited, but confused.
(b) Haughty and snobbish.
(c) Depressed and dour.
(d) Anxious and frightened.

7. 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 ugly, but nevertheless a great seducer.
(d) He is well endowed.

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

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

10. Against whom does Valmont warn Merteuil in letter 70?
(a) Danceny.
(b) Prévan.
(c) Bertram.
(d) Azolan.

11. On what issue does Cécile ask Merteuil's advice in letter 27?
(a) Whether it would be wrong to correspond with Danceny.
(b) Which gown she should wear to the opera the next night.
(c) Whether Merteuil thinks Danceny will remain faithful.
(d) Whether she should tell her mother of her interest in Danceny.

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

13. What event does Madame de Volanges' sudden illness threaten?
(a) Cécile's secret meeting with Danceny.
(b) Cécile's meeting with Valmont.
(c) Merteuil's meeting with Valmont.
(d) Danceny's meeting with Madame de Tourvel.

14. What does Merteuil tell Cécile when they attend the opera together?
(a) It is perfectly acceptable to have many lovers at once.
(b) On her wedding night, a young woman must be prepared for certain things.
(c) Marriage is a futile institution that oppresses women.
(d) When a woman marries, she must love only her husband.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Danceny's letter 28 accuse Cécile of?

2. Who does Valmont trick to spend time with the Vicomtesse de M?

3. How does Valmont act toward Madame de Tourvel, as reported in letter 11?

4. In letter 26, what does Madame de Tourvel blame on her impassioned outburst?

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

(see the answer keys)

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