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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What news does Bertrand bring to Madame de Rosemonde?
(a) The news of Cécile's insanity.
(b) The news of Madame de Volanges' death.
(c) The news of Valmont's death.
(d) The news of Valmont's triumph.

2. What is Merteuil careful to say in Prévan's hearing when they meet for the second time?
(a) That she grows weary of widowhood.
(b) That she feels faint and needs to lie down.
(c) That she will be at home in two days.
(d) That she fancies a dashing young man.

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

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

5. How does Cécile respond to Valmont's suggestion about their secret correspondence?
(a) She agrees to Valmont's request for more time.
(b) She suggests they use a third party to pass their letters.
(c) She refuses to steal her mother's key.
(d) She asks to speak to Danceny directly.

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

7. What happens to Prévan after Merteuil gets done with him?
(a) He proclaims himself innocent in a court of law.
(b) He flees the country in disgrace.
(c) He duels with Merteuil's lover, Belleroche.
(d) His commander orders his arrest.

8. What does Danceny do to Merteuil, as reported by Madame de Volanges in letter 168?
(a) He publishes two of her shocking letters.
(b) He marries her in secret, then they run away to Italy.
(c) He decides to forget her and the pain she caused.
(d) He kills her in a fit of rage.

9. What does Merteuil advise Madame de Volanges regarding Cécile?
(a) To shut her away in a convent.
(b) To disown her and throw her out on the street.
(c) To maintain her engagement to Gercourt.
(d) To allow her to elope with Danceny.

10. What action does Valmont propose to Cécile to facilitate their secret correspondence?
(a) Cécile should steal her mother's key to Cécile's own room.
(b) Cécile and Valmont should not write, but only speak privately.
(c) Cécile should suggest that her mother leave Cécile alone at the country estate.
(d) Cécile and Danceny should disguise their handwriting and use the regular postal service.

11. What physical condition makes it difficult for Madame de Rosemonde to write letters?
(a) Dementia.
(b) Influenza.
(c) Blindness.
(d) Rheumatism.

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

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

14. How does Prévan get into Merteuil's room on the night of his apparent victory?
(a) She suggests he disguise himself as a servant.
(b) She suggests he use a secret staircase.
(c) He rappels down from her roof.
(d) He decides to climb her balcony.

15. Upon what does Merteuil instruct Danceny in letter 121?
(a) Upon improving his contrived writing style.
(b) Upon his communications with Madame de Volanges.
(c) Upon his duties to his order of knights.
(d) Upon his lovemaking technique.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Merteuil think is dull above all else?

2. What does Valmont do when alone with Cécile in her room?

3. What does Danceny resolve to do at the end of the novel?

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

5. What did the person whom Valmont sent to Madame de Tourvel do?

(see the answer keys)

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