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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Cécile do that surprises her mother?
(a) Begs to die like Madame de Tourvel.
(b) Goes to a convent to become a nun.
(c) Confesses the truth of her relationship with Valmont.
(d) Vehemently expresses her disgust for Merteuil.

2. Why does Gercourt wish to delay his and Cécile's marriage?
(a) He has cold feet.
(b) His regiment will move further away.
(c) He wishes for time to allow Cécile to grow up.
(d) He wants to travel in Italy with a relative.

3. What does Merteuil advise Valmont to tell Madame de Tourvel?
(a) He is leaving the country because he can no longer stand her.
(b) He wants to duel her husband in order to marry her.
(c) He no longer loves her, but it's not his fault.
(d) Her beauty has been diminished by her recent anger.

4. What happens to Cécile when Valmont's door opens while they are together?
(a) She faints, then wakes to formulate an explanation.
(b) She has a seizure and miscarries.
(c) She decides to run away and live on the streets.
(d) She goes mad and must be institutionalized.

5. What opinion about love does Merteuil voice to Valmont?
(a) Pleasure is followed by aversion.
(b) Love is the lowest human feeling.
(c) Marriage is the highest form of love.
(d) Sex is based only on physical need.

6. What is Madame de Tourvel's reaction upon being left alone in her room with Valmont?
(a) She professes her undying love for him.
(b) She bursts into tears and calls for her maid.
(c) She goes into delirious convulsions.
(d) She refuses to have anything to do with him.

7. What does Merteuil effectively refuse to do with Valmont?
(a) Share seduction stories.
(b) Have a sexual relationship with him.
(c) Cover up for him.
(d) Mentor Cécile for him.

8. What does Valmont order Merteuil to do?
(a) Abandon her tutelage of Cécile.
(b) Abandon her friendship with Madame de Volanges.
(c) Abandon her affair with Danceny.
(d) Abandon her affair with Belleroche.

9. What does Valmont do when alone with Cécile in her room?
(a) He rapes her.
(b) He comforts her.
(c) He terrorizes her.
(d) He lectures her.

10. How did Merteuil become adept at controlling her facial features?
(a) As a child, her tutor of manners was strict and taught her well.
(b) Her time as an actress gave her opportunities to practice facial expressions.
(c) She woke up one day and was suddenly able to control her features.
(d) By observing how other people conceal what they think or feel.

11. What does Valmont instruct his valet to do in Paris?
(a) Enlist the help of Danceny in seducing Madame de Tourvel.
(b) Pretend to be in love with Madame de Tourvel.
(c) Spy on Madame de Tourvel.
(d) Beg to Merteuil for help on Valmont's behalf.

12. About what does Valmont mock Merteuil in letter 158?
(a) Her lack of true friends.
(b) Her incapability of managing her affairs.
(c) Her non-meeting with Danceny.
(d) Her rapidly aging features.

13. What does Merteuil think is dull above all else?
(a) Men who only use one method of seduction over and over.
(b) Men who attract women through their intellect, not their personalities.
(c) Women whose coyness borders on rude dismissiveness.
(d) Women who sleep with men only because they can't say "no."

14. How does Merteuil increase sympathy for herself?
(a) She asserts that Prévan robbed her.
(b) She keeps quiet and the mystery deepens.
(c) She claims to have been raped.
(d) She pretends to be ill.

15. Why is Madame de Tourvel suddenly convinced that Valmont no longer loves her?
(a) She saw a vision of her husband.
(b) She saw him in the company of a prostitute.
(c) She received a cold, dismissive letter from him.
(d) She observes signs of his disinterest.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Madame de Tourvel reveal to Valmont in letter 90?

2. What does Merteuil advise Madame de Volanges regarding Cécile?

3. How does Merteuil's story end?

4. In letter 147, what startling news does Madame de Volanges notify Madame de Rosemonde of?

5. What does Madame de Rosemonde warn Madame de Tourvel about in letter 126?

(see the answer keys)

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