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

2. Which category of women does Merteuil consider the most worthwhile?
(a) Young, pretty, dull women.
(b) Mysterious, enigmatic widows.
(c) Middle-aged, hardened, despairing women.
(d) Independent, intelligent women of character.

3. What does Valmont know Merteuil dislikes reading about?
(a) She dislikes reading about Valmont's past seductions.
(b) She dislikes reading Valmont's preachy advice.
(c) She dislikes reading about Valmont's progress with Madame de Tourvel.
(d) She dislikes reading about Cécile's progress with Danceny.

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

5. What advice does Madame de Volanges ask of Merteuil?
(a) Whether she should ban Valmont from her home.
(b) Whether she should allow her daughter to marry Danceny.
(c) Whether she should leave for Paris with Cécile.
(d) Whether she should move up the date of her daughter's wedding.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Merteuil's story end?

2. Why does Gercourt wish to delay his and Cécile's marriage?

3. How does Cécile respond to Valmont's suggestion about their secret correspondence?

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

5. To whom does Valmont write to ask about seeing Madame de Tourvel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What news of Valmont does Madame de Rosemonde give Madame de Tourvel, and how does Madame de Tourvel react?

2. How does Merteuil respond to Cécile's news about Valmont's actions?

3. Summarize the problem Madame de Tourvel sees preventing her and Valmont from having a relationship, and how Valmont circumvents her hesitation.

4. Summarize the content of the "letter" that Merteuil dictates to Valmont about his apparent love of Madame de Tourvel.

5. What happens between Valmont and Madame de Tourvel that shocks and angers Valmont, and why does he react so strongly?

6. How does Madame de Volanges respond to Cécile's depression?

7. What is the general content of the letter Azolan, Valmont's valet, writes to Valmont?

8. Describe Madame de Tourvel's dictated, unaddressed letter which Madame de Volanges sends to Madame de Rosemonde.

9. Describe Merteuil's warning to Valmont about his reputation in Paris.

10. What subterfuge does Valmont suggest to Cécile in order to get Danceny's letters to her?

(see the answer keys)

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