View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the expression 'errant knave' mean?
(a) A man of high birth.
(b) A ladies' champion.
(c) A chivalrous man.
(d) A fool on a mission.

2. Why does Lady Wishfort dismiss Foible?
(a) Lady Wishfort could not consummate her marriage to Sir Rowland.
(b) Waitwell went to jail.
(c) Mrs. Fainall had an affair with Mirabell.
(d) Foible was plotting with Mirabell.

3. What inconvenience does Foible point out about Sir Rowland to Lady Wishfort?
(a) He was gay.
(b) He didn't love Lady Wishfort.
(c) He was already married to her, Foible.
(d) He wanted to remain a bachelor.

4. When Fainall enters in Act 5, Scene 2, what does he do?
(a) He greets Mrs. Marwood a kiss.
(b) He begins to dictate his terms.
(c) He suggests Lady Wishfort make him an offer.
(d) He states he is divorcing her daughter.

5. All of the following characteristics of Lady Wishfort's girlish excitement at Sir Rowland's visit are revealed except one. Which characteristic is not true of Lady Wishfort?
(a) She is an aging woman.
(b) She is a typical lady of Restoration society.
(c) She is a vain fool.
(d) She is a genuine person.

6. How does Mrs. Millamant show her devilish attitude during her chat with Mrs. Marwood?
(a) She demands Mrs. Marwood sing a song.
(b) She makes remarks about Mrs. Marwood's age.
(c) She states she doesn't believe Mrs. Marwood's relationships are noble.
(d) She fusses at Mincing.

7. Why does Congreve say these critics should be the subject of onstage satire?
(a) Because critics should not be made fun of since they hold a lot of power with the public.
(b) Because they are not important enough to bother with.
(c) Because this would inflate their sense of self-importance.
(d) Because they would retaliate.

8. What has Lady Wishfort discovered that has her so angry at the beginning of Act 5, Scene 1?
(a) Fainall is going to ruin her.
(b) Her maid was stealing from her.
(c) Sir Rowland was actually a foreigner.
(d) Her suitor, Sir Rowland, was a fake.

9. What kind of person is Sir Wilfull Witwoud?
(a) Happy-go-lucky.
(b) Youthful and crude.
(c) Genuine but uncultured.
(d) Rude and pretentious.

10. Who witnessed the document in the black box?
(a) Sir Wilfull.
(b) Mrs. Millamant.
(c) Foible and Mincing.
(d) Witwoud and Petulant.

11. What are the first poets going to do when judging a play?
(a) Insult the dramatist.
(b) Say it is unworthy of the playwright.
(c) Suggest the author is unable to produce another good work.
(d) Say they dislike it, because they always dislike the plays they see.

12. How do Fainall and Mrs. Marwood decide to reveal Mirabell's plan to Lady Wishfort?
(a) Demanding Mirabell confesses.
(b) Through servants.
(c) By talking to her.
(d) In an anonymous letter.

13. What seems to determine the success of the characters in the play?
(a) Their greed.
(b) Their plots.
(c) Their motivations.
(d) Their beliefs.

14. What does Lady Wishfort demonstrate when she agrees to Fainall and Mrs. Marwood's schemes?
(a) She believes in the high moral standards of her peers.
(b) She is a good Christian lady.
(c) She is too trusting.
(d) She is subject to society's norms and opinions.

15. Why did Congreve use the epilogue?
(a) It satisfied his need for self-justification.
(b) To defy the critics by ranting against their analysis.
(c) It provided the opportunity for a pre-planned response to his critics.
(d) To urge the critics to praise his play.

Short Answer Questions

1. What advice does Mirabell give Lady Wishfort when she protests Fainall's demands?

2. What does the final couplet of the play warn the audience against?

3. What is Lady Wishfort doing as Act 4, Scene 2 commences?

4. What does Mrs. Millamant ask Witwoud and Petulant as they enter the room in Act 3, Scene 3?

5. Which one of the following statements was not revealed by Mincing to Foible?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 687 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample