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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Sir Wilfull's relationship with Lady Wishfort?
(a) He is her son.
(b) He is her nephew.
(c) He is her uncle.
(d) He is her brother.

2. The actor who reads the prologue also plays which character?
(a) Fainall.
(b) Sir Rowland.
(c) Mirabell.
(d) Sir Wilfull.

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

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

5. All of the following are true except one. As Mrs. Marwood discovers Mirabell's plot, she ______ .
(a) Wants him to fail.
(b) Plots to destroy Mirabell's scheme.
(c) Feels angry with Mrs. Wishfort.
(d) Vows revenge.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Mirabell pretend to love Lady Wishfort?

2. 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:

3. What are the tastes of poets determined by?

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

5. What does Mirabell's plan consist of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mrs. Millamant.

2. Explain Fainall's circumstances as we know them by Act 2, Scene 1. What is his relationship with the women in the play?

3. Explain what Mrs. Marwood learned when she stayed in the closet in Lady Wishfort's dressing room. How does she react?

4. Do you think that a prologue is a good way to introduce a play? Why or why not?

5. Is Congreve's use of character names symbolic of their personalities an effective device?

6. Mrs. Marwood is someone who thinks of revenge when others cross her. What scheme do you think Mrs. Marwood is planning to extract her revenge on Mirabell?

7. Why does Congreve use 'eavesdropping' in Act 3, Scene 1?

8. Congreve says the play doesn't contain satire yet the play is full of satirical pictures of different behaviors by the characters. Why do you think he made this statement?

9. What is the relationship between Lady Wishfort and Mrs. Marwood?

10. In Act 3, Scene 1, Lady Wishfort is excited about the arrival of Sir Rowland in the evening. In a short paragraph, describe the Sir Rowland plot as shown up to this point. What do you think will happen to Sir Rowland and Lady Wishfort?

(see the answer keys)

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