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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mrs. Marwood promise herself after hearing how Mirabell feels about her?
(a) That she will help him in his scheme against Lady Wishfort.
(b) That she is going to see him in dire circumstances some day and then she will have her revenge.
(c) That she will not chase him anymore.
(d) That she still loves him and is going to have him.

2. What is a prologue?
(a) A teaser which will make the audience want to stay for the whole performance.
(b) A short synopsis of the coming play.
(c) An introduction.
(d) A part which comes before the audience arrives.

3. What does Lady Wishfort ask Mrs. Marwood to do after Foible's announcement?
(a) She asks Mrs. Marwood to keep Witwoud and Petulant company.
(b) She asks Mrs. Marwood to receive her guests.
(c) She asks her help in dressing.
(d) She asks her to accompany her to dinner.

4. How does Mrs. Marwood attack Fainall when he angers her?
(a) By saying he has deceived her.
(b) By saying he wrecked her reputation.
(c) By saying he told lies about her to Lady Wishfort.
(d) By saying he stole from her.

5. 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.

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

7. Who is the most important male character in the play?
(a) Mirabell.
(b) Petulant.
(c) Fainall.
(d) Witwoud.

8. What does Foible do when she enters Lady Wishfort's dressing room?
(a) She helps Lady Wishfort dress.
(b) She asks Mrs. Marwood to keep the men company.
(c) She says Witwoud and Petulant have arrived.
(d) She announces Sir Rowland.

9. Does Mrs. Marwood tell Lady Wishfort everything she overheard?
(a) We don't know.
(b) It is impossible to say.
(c) No.
(d) Yes.

10. What does Mrs. Fainall reveal to Foible in her mother's dressing room?
(a) She is worried about Lady Wishfort's reaction.
(b) She loves Mrs. Millamant and wants the plan to succeed.
(c) She supports Mrs. Marwood in her scheme.
(d) She knows of Mirabell's plans.

11. What does the success of Congreve's play depend on?
(a) His past successes.
(b) His following.
(c) His previous body of work.
(d) Its own merit.

12. How does Congreve use satire in the prologue?
(a) He uses theatrical devices to enhance satire.
(b) He suggests that farce is outdated.
(c) He makes fun of the audience.
(d) He states the play does not contain satire, but it is full of satirical pictures of the different behaviors of the characters.

13. What do the different marriages introduced in the play seem to be motivated by?
(a) The need to protect their reputations.
(b) Love.
(c) Greed.
(d) Social convenience.

14. Why did Mirabell pretend to love Lady Wishfort?
(a) To get her money.
(b) To show the world what a stud he was.
(c) To disguise his true feelings for Mrs. Millamant.
(d) To make fun of her.

15. What does Mirabell state that he believes about Mrs. Millamant to Fainall?
(a) That Mrs. Millamant should not be so cruel to him.
(b) That Mrs. Millamant's faults suit her very well.
(c) That he will help her improve on her faults.
(d) That Mrs. Millamant's faults are a nuisance.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Petulant hire three prostitutes?

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

3. Why does Congreve choose this symbol of cosmetics?

4. What word best describes the relationship Fainall has with Mrs. Marwood?

5. Why is eavesdropping so successful in Act 3, Scene 1?

(see the answer keys)

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