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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the prologue permit Congreve to do to the audience?
(a) It serves as a sounding board for his concept of drama.
(b) It gives him a platform where he can answer his critics.
(c) It allows him to introduce the themes of the play.
(d) It shows how the poet is always in charge of the performance.

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

3. Though Mrs. Millament doesn't act it, Mrs. Millamant actually ____________ Mirabell.
(a) Dislikes.
(b) Loves.
(c) Frustrates.
(d) Bores.

4. Mirabell's plan involves ________ Lady Wishfort.
(a) Murdering.
(b) Blackmailing.
(c) Persuading.
(d) Making love to.

5. What did Lady Wishfort say or do that offended Mirabell?
(a) She laughed at him.
(b) She said that Mirabell should leave.
(c) She ignored Mirabell and talked only with Fainall.
(d) She commented that some people overstay their welcome.

6. When Mrs. Millamant makes her first appearance on stage, Mrs. Millimant interacts with Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall. Which word best describes Mrs. Millamant's character after this scene?
(a) Foolish.
(b) Cold.
(c) Strong.
(d) Cruel.

7. What does the scene where Mrs. Marwood is left in the closet reveal about her?
(a) She is a nasty character with no true friends.
(b) She is eager to marry Sir Wilfull.
(c) She is angry at Mirabell but still wants him as her lover.
(d) She is upset at being left in the closet by Lady Wishfort.

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

9. What does the prologue do?
(a) Introduces Congreve and his play.
(b) Limits criticism of the play.
(c) Instructs the audience on how to react to the play.
(d) Challenges the audience to try something new.

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

11. Why did Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall choose Fainall as her husband?
(a) Because she loved him.
(b) Because he was a liar and a cheat with a good reputation.
(c) Because he was old and would probably die soon.
(d) Because he loved her.

12. Another dramatic device is used in the final lines of Act 1, Scene 1 when Mirabell hints at a scheme involving Wishfort's maid. This device is known as:
(a) Climax.
(b) Foreshadowing.
(c) Omnipresence.
(d) Denouement.

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

14. With respect to Sir Wilfull, what does Mrs. Marwood suggest to Lady Wishfort?
(a) Sir Wilfull is a drunkard.
(b) Sir Wilfull is going to continue his travels.
(c) Sir Wilfull is a country bumpkin.
(d) Sir Wilfull will make an excellent husband for Mrs. Millamant.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Witwoud describe Petulant?

2. Why are poets often fooled?

3. What does Mrs. Marwood say to Mrs. Fainall about men?

4. What is a prologue?

5. What was Mrs. Millamant's response to her aunt's statement?

(see the answer keys)

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