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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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.

2. With which philosophical movement of the 18th century is Laclos associated?
(a) The Late Renaissance.
(b) The French Victorian period.
(c) The French Enlightenment.
(d) The Age of Realism.

3. In letter 52, what does Valmont accuse Madame de Tourvel of slandering?
(a) Her own reputation.
(b) Valmont's reputation.
(c) The concepts of friendship and trust.
(d) The generosity of Valmont's aunt.

4. How does Valmont avoid detection of his and the Vicomtesse's dalliance?
(a) He pretends to become ill and incapable of making love.
(b) He accuses her of sleeping with a different man.
(c) He sneaks away from the house before everyone wakes.
(d) He pretends there was a burglar in her room.

5. What idea does Merteuil plant in Cécile's head after the revelation of her and Danceny's love?
(a) Running away with Danceny.
(b) Seeing Danceny in secret.
(c) Shifting her desire to Valmont.
(d) Becoming a nun.

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

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

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

9. 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 rapes her.
(d) He bribes her with 400 francs.

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

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

12. Where is Madame de Tourvel staying while her husband is away?
(a) With Madame de Rosemonde in the country.
(b) With Madame de Volanges in Paris.
(c) At a convent.
(d) At a home she owns in Paris.

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

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

15. 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 come to secret agreements with their lovers.
(c) Women allow themselves to be raped.
(d) Women initiate their own seductions.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Madame de Tourvel tell Madame de Volanges she will do to get rid of Valmont?

2. Whom does Valmont plan to seduce?

3. How does Coward recommend the novel should be criticized?

4. What does Madame de Volanges discover about her daughter?

5. What was Laclos' relationship with his own wife and children?

(see the answer keys)

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