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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the main character describe the person with whom he must conduct his business?
(a) As enthusiastic and humorous.
(b) As wicked and false.
(c) As vigorous and kind-hearted.
(d) As suspicious and conniving.

2. Why is the main character happy at the beginning of the first letter?
(a) He has proposed to a beautiful young woman, and she said yes.
(b) He has just completed his studies at the university.
(c) He has left his familiar surroundings and people.
(d) He has received a job offer that will elevate his social position.

3. What subject do Werther and Lotte discuss at length in the letter of September 10?
(a) Political intrigue and scandal.
(b) Death and the hereafter.
(c) Lotte's plans for her upcoming wedding.
(d) The education of her siblings.

4. Whom does Werther mourn in his letter of May 17?
(a) His father, whom Werther considered a role model.
(b) A close female friend with whom he shared much of his soul.
(c) A great German poet and artist upon whom Werther models himself.
(d) His brother, with whom Werther shared a close friendship.

5. What is the name of the man Werther meets at the vicar's home?
(a) Mr. Vollner.
(b) Mr. Schiller.
(c) Mr. Metzger.
(d) Mr. Schmidt.

6. Why, according to Werther, does the "torrent of genius" so rarely pour forth?
(a) Because genius requires obsession with one's subject, and only very few people are truly obsessed.
(b) Because the average individual is of too limited intelligence to qualify as a genius.
(c) Because God only imparts genius to a select few individuals.
(d) Because genius requires the close interaction of many people, and quarreling prevents this.

7. In his letter of May 17, what does Werther find the state of humanity to be?
(a) Happy and joyous.
(b) Horribly sinful.
(c) Generally monotonous.
(d) Awesome and inspiring.

8. What feeling fills Werther when he is alone in nature?
(a) Longing.
(b) Hunger.
(c) Fulfillment.
(d) Confusion.

9. To what does Werther compare the young woman with whom he has fallen in love?
(a) A dove.
(b) A martyr.
(c) A sinner.
(d) A prophet.

10. What does Werther consider to be the closest thing to his own heart?
(a) Children.
(b) God.
(c) Nature.
(d) Animals.

11. What effect does Lotte's continued presence have on Werther?
(a) Werther can only speak in riddles.
(b) Werther becomes bored.
(c) Werther feels physically ill.
(d) Werther's senses begin to fail him.

12. What is the name of the first woman mentioned by the main character?
(a) Leonore.
(b) Adeline.
(c) Sabine.
(d) Maria.

13. What is Werther aware of, regarding himself and the townsfolk?
(a) That they are not, and can never be, equals.
(b) That they come from the same common stock.
(c) That they can never be honest with one another.
(d) That they must always be suspicious of one another.

14. Which poet does Werther's new female friend mention in relation to the event which disrupts the large gathering they attend?
(a) Klopstock.
(b) Goethe.
(c) Friedrichson.
(d) Heine.

15. What example does Werther use to support his argument of the subject in the letter of August 12?
(a) A man who shot himself.
(b) A girl who drowned herself.
(c) A woman who poisoned herself.
(d) A boy who hanged himself.

Short Answer Questions

1. What subject do Werther and the other young people discuss at the vicar's home?

2. Whom does Werther assist in his or her daily chore?

3. What, according to the main character, leads to the most complications in business affairs?

4. What does Werther think of Albert?

5. What story does the person near the plow in the town square tell Werther?

(see the answer keys)

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