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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which word best describes what Mincing believes Witwoud to be?
(a) A country bumpkin.
(b) A gentleman.
(c) A fool.
(d) A despot.

2. 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 her help in dressing.
(c) She asks her to accompany her to dinner.
(d) She asks Mrs. Marwood to receive her guests.

3. What does Mirabell's plan consist of?
(a) Trying to make others believe that he wasn't interested in Mrs. Millamant.
(b) Hiding his true feelings about Mrs. Fainall.
(c) Winning Mrs. Millamant's aunt's favor so she would give her blessing.
(d) Entering into a plot with Mrs. Marwood.

4. Who are Witwoud and Petulant?
(a) Important gentlemen of this social group.
(b) Followers of Mrs. Millamant.
(c) Lady Wishfort's servants.
(d) Mrs. Millamant's servants.

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

6. What does Fainall claim about Mrs. Marwood?
(a) She is concerned about her reputation.
(b) She is really angry with him.
(c) She is bored in his company.
(d) She is jealous of his wife spending time with Mirabell.

7. 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) Foreshadowing.
(b) Omnipresence.
(c) Denouement.
(d) Climax.

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

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

10. 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) Cruel.
(b) Strong.
(c) Foolish.
(d) Cold.

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

12. 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 he will suffer longer if he can't prove it.
(c) Because she thinks he loves Mrs. Millimant.
(d) Because she thinks he doesn't love her any more.

13. What news does the footman bring Mirabell at the chocolate house?
(a) That Waitwell and Foible have run away together.
(b) That his coachman, Waitwell, is waiting with his carriage.
(c) That Waitwell and Foible are married.
(d) That Foible wanted to speak to him.

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

15. What word best describes the relationship Fainall has with Mrs. Marwood?
(a) Loving and tender.
(b) Filled with underlying rage.
(c) Unhappy.
(d) Troubled.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mirabell state that he believes about Mrs. Millamant to Fainall?

2. Who is Mrs. Millamant?

3. How does Mrs. Marwood answer Fainall when he joins her in the park?

4. Why does Mirabell criticize Fainall at the chocolate house?

5. What does the dramatic device of naming characters that are symbolic of their personality traits allow the playwright Congreve to do?

(see the answer keys)

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