View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Madame de Tourvel send to Madame de Rosemonde?
(a) Valmont's cruel letter.
(b) A suicide note.
(c) A lock of her own hair.
(d) Madame de Volanges' private correspondence.

2. Whom does Valmont's valet count on to get him access to Madame de Tourvel?
(a) Her brother, Andres.
(b) Valmont's friend, Étienne.
(c) No one.
(d) Her maid, Julie.

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

4. What is the reason for Valmont's seduction of Madame de Tourvel, according to what Valmont tells Merteuil in letter 133?
(a) Valmont wanted to investigate his own seductive powers.
(b) Valmont felt he needed more practice at ordinary seductions.
(c) Valmont was bored and wanted a project to occupy his time.
(d) Valmont gladly took on Madame de Tourvel's seduction on a dare.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Valmont and Madame de Tourvel's first sexual encounter go?

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

3. Upon what does Merteuil instruct Danceny in letter 121?

4. What is the tone of Cécile's letter to Merteuil after her encounter with Valmont?

5. Why has Merteuil never remarried?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Whom does Valmont enlist to help him communicate and meet with Madame de Tourvel? How does this person respond?

5. How does Valmont thwart Merteuil with regards to Danceny?

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

7. Describe Merteuil's end in the novel.

8. What is Merteuil's next plan for seduction? How does Valmont react?

9. What is the reward Valmont claims from Merteuil, and how does Merteuil respond to this?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,103 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample