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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why has Merteuil never remarried?
(a) She never meets anyone, but boring old men.
(b) She is averse to the idea of belonging to one man.
(c) She dislikes anyone having the right to complain about her behavior.
(d) She wants to retain independent control of her fortune.

2. What does Valmont teach Cécile when they are alone together?
(a) How to be modest and seem virginal for Gercourt.
(b) Dirty language and sexual positions.
(c) How to become the next Merteuil.
(d) How to take precautions against pregnancy.

3. How long has Valmont spent seducing Madame de Tourvel?
(a) A year.
(b) Three months.
(c) Six months.
(d) Several weeks.

4. What does Danceny entrust to Madame de Rosemonde?
(a) The secret of Valmont and Madame de Tourvel's relationship.
(b) Cécile's honor as Madame de Rosemonde's ward.
(c) All of the lyric poetry he wrote for Cécile.
(d) Valmont's entire correspondence with Merteuil.

5. How does Merteuil decide that Prévan is attempting to seduce her?
(a) She eavesdrops on his conversation with the Bishop.
(b) She asks her friend, the Maréchale, whether Prévan mentioned her.
(c) She refuses to play cards, and he follows her lead.
(d) She asks him directly whether he is interested in her, and he demurs.

6. What does the unsigned note to Danceny communicate?
(a) It asks him for forgiveness for Valmont's actions.
(b) It suggests that he elope with Cécile.
(c) It warns him that charges may be laid against him.
(d) It vehemently accuses him of devilish acts.

7. What does Madame de Tourvel regret in letter 124?
(a) That Valmont returned all her letters instead of keeping them.
(b) That she must be forever miserable for sacrificing Valmont.
(c) That she must agree to whatever Valmont asks of her.
(d) That she lost Madame de Rosemonde's respect.

8. What reflection does Madame de Rosemonde offer to Danceny in letter 171?
(a) Human nature is irreconcilably bad.
(b) All sexual adventures are forgivable.
(c) Happiness lies within the bounds of law and religion.
(d) True love is a myth, and pleasure is the only worthwhile pursuit.

9. What does Valmont entice Danceny to do?
(a) Use one of Cécile's maids as a way to practice his sexual technique.
(b) Apologize to Madame de Volanges for leading her daughter astray.
(c) Abandon his excursion with Merteuil in favor of secretly meeting with Cécile.
(d) Choose Merteuil, an experienced lover, over Cécile, an ignorant girl.

10. How did Merteuil approach sex on her wedding night?
(a) As a horrifying violation to fear.
(b) As a boring chore to complete.
(c) As a trial to overcome.
(d) As an experience to observe.

11. In letter 83, how does Valmont try to convince Madame de Tourvel to love him?
(a) He asserts that all love, no matter what kind, is good.
(b) He argues that she is selfish and vain in refusing him.
(c) He threatens to kill her husband if she does not love him.
(d) He threatens to kill himself if she will not love him.

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

13. What is Madame de Tourvel's mindset in letter 161?
(a) Clear and coherent.
(b) Thoughtful and contemplative.
(c) Disturbed and disorganized.
(d) Sad and lonely.

14. What does Cécile assert to Danceny after his letter reveals his suspicions?
(a) That she and Valmont decided not to listen to Danceny.
(b) That if they will both be unhappy, it won't be entirely her fault.
(c) That she will refuse to see him again.
(d) That her mother will never discover Cécile's plan.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What has been the effect of Madame de Tourvel's separation from Valmont?

2. What advice does Madame de Volanges ask of Merteuil?

3. Whom does Cécile enlist as help in her escapades with her lover?

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

5. How does Merteuil think of Madame de Tourvel?

(see the answer keys)

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