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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Valmont contrive to grope the woman he wants to seduce?
(a) By grabbing her from behind.
(b) By helping her mount a horse.
(c) By carrying her across a ditch.
(d) By pretending to stumble into her.

2. What does "libertine" generally refer to in 18th-century France?
(a) Conservative political ideals.
(b) Pious worship of God.
(c) Sexual depravity.
(d) Conventional wisdom.

3. What euphemism does Merteuil use to refer to her lover?
(a) "Distraction."
(b) "Swain."
(c) "Knight."
(d) "Pastime."

4. In letter 15, what does Valmont call Merteuil about her attentions to her current lover?
(a) He calls her gentle and caring.
(b) He calls her a slave to another's pleasure.
(c) He calls her selfish and callous.
(d) He calls her an attention seeker.

5. How does Cécile initially feel about Danceny?
(a) She hates his strict style of teaching.
(b) She falls deeply in love with him.
(c) She feels ambivalent about him and he bores her.
(d) She likes him and wants to please him with her musical abilities.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author of the Editor's Preface claim he has done?

2. How does Valmont spy on Madame de Tourvel?

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

4. What does Cécile think are pretty much the same thing?

5. How does Valmont make sure that Madame de Tourvel will read his first letter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were Laclos' general views on politics and gender relations?

2. What causes Cécile to become worried and sad about her upcoming marriage?

3. What subterfuge does Valmont use to come into possession of Madame de Tourvel's letters?

4. What does Madame de Volanges say about Valmont to warn Madame de Tourvel against becoming too friendly with him?

5. How does the Publisher's Foreword introduce the novel?

6. What event causes Cécile and Danceny to despair? What are the immediate results?

7. What does the Editor state in the Editor's Preface?

8. Who is Merteuil's "knight," and what does she think of him?

9. How does Madame de Tourvel respond to Valmont's first love letter?

10. What does Valmont essentially tell Merteuil about their relationship with each other in letter 15?

(see the answer keys)

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