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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 1, Scene 1.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Congreve tell the audience that they will not be offended to any reference to fools in the play?
(a) Because they are society and he doesn't want to offend society members.
(b) Because the fools he is referring to are other artists.
(c) Because they will understand his intentions.
(d) Because they are not fools themselves.

2. Why is Fainall bored when talking with Mirabell in the chocolate house?
(a) Because Mirabell doesn't know how to play.
(b) Because Mrs. Millamant enters and begins to talk to them.
(c) Because Mirabell is distracted.
(d) Because Sir Rowland enters and begins to talk to them.

3. Why were the first performances heavily criticized?
(a) Because of the new concept of marriage it introduced.
(b) Because the theatergoers expected to see celebrities attacked.
(c) Because Congreve's writing was not pleasant.
(d) Because they did not contain farce.

4. What is the purpose of the play?
(a) To lecture the audience and therefore, society.
(b) To entertain the audience.
(c) To add to the audience's knowledge.
(d) To instruct the audience in life.

5. Why are poets often fooled?
(a) They believe in their work and expect others to understand and like it.
(b) They are fooled into believing that one successful play means the next one will be successful also.
(c) They don't study their critics.
(d) They believe what people tell them to their face.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the tastes of poets determined by?

2. Why did Mirabell leave Lady Wishfort's house the previous evening?

3. What news does the footman bring Mirabell at the chocolate house?

4. Why did Mirabell pretend to love Lady Wishfort?

5. Why does the prologue refer to Congreve as a 'passive poet'?

(see the answer key)

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