View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is Mrs. Millamant?
(a) An acquaintance of Mirabell.
(b) Fainall's sister.
(c) A relative of the two gentlemen.
(d) The woman Mirabell loves.

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

3. Why does Mrs. Marwood only want to pretend she is cuckolding her husband?
(a) Because he will suffer longer if he can't prove it.
(b) Because she thinks he loves Mrs. Millimant.
(c) Because she thinks he doesn't love her any more.
(d) Because he will suffer longer if he can't prove it.

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(b) He suggests that farce is outdated.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

5. Why does Congreve choose this symbol of cosmetics?
(a) He felt it served no purpose in life.
(b) He believed that make-up is immoral.
(c) He wanted to acknowledge how beautiful it made women.
(d) He wanted to show how people change themselves because of vanity.

6. By firing back at the audience, what does Congreve do?
(a) He infuriates the audience.
(b) He pretends to admire them while he really hates them.
(c) He lectures them about their lack of artistic understanding.
(d) He defends his decision to add some unusual and new elements to the play.

7. Where is Mrs. Marwood at the opening of Act 3, Scene 2?
(a) In Lady Wishfort's dining room.
(b) In Lady Wishfort's kitchen.
(c) In Lady Wishfort's closet.
(d) In Lady Wishfort's sitting room.

8. What is the second kind of fool blessed by?
(a) Religious beliefs.
(b) Fortune.
(c) Upbringing.
(d) How their lives evolve over time.

9. What is a cabal?
(a) A group of friends.
(b) A meeting of enemies against the state.
(c) A military uprising.
(d) A secret society; a plot.

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

11. What phrase describes the relationship between Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall?
(a) They were never romantically involved.
(b) They are brother and sister.
(c) They are lovers.
(d) They were previously lovers.

12. Who are the fools spoken of in the prologue?
(a) Husbands, wives and lovers.
(b) Members of society in general.
(c) Critics of the play.
(d) Poets and natural fools.

13. What is the relationship between Witwoud and Sir Wilfull Witwoud?
(a) They are cousins.
(b) They are half-brothers.
(c) They are brothers.
(d) They are distant relatives.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mrs. Marwood claim while talking to Mrs. Fainall?

2. Why did Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall choose Fainall as her husband?

3. Why does Petulant hire three prostitutes?

4. The actor who reads the prologue also plays which character?

5. What is Lady Wishfort's reaction to Mrs. Marwood's suggestion about Sir Wilfull?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 645 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample