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

2. What has Mrs. Marwood overheard in her hiding place while Lady Wishfort questions Foible and after Lady Wishfort leaves the room?
(a) Foible's plans.
(b) Lady Wishfort's plans.
(c) All of Mirabell's plot.
(d) Mrs. Fainall's affection for her.

3. Why does Fainall say he married his wife?
(a) For her money.
(b) For love.
(c) For her good breeding.
(d) For her social position.

4. Act 2, Scene 2 reveals the reason Mrs. Fainall married her husband. What was the reason?
(a) To acquire her husband's money.
(b) To protect her reputation.
(c) To legitimize her pregnancy.
(d) Because she loved him.

5. Why does Mirabell criticize Fainall at the chocolate house?
(a) Because he is angry with Fainall.
(b) Because Fainall is drinking too much.
(c) Because he allowed his wife to ignored Mirabell the previous night.
(d) Because he dislikes Fainall's wife.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the success of Congreve's play depend on?

2. While drinking chocolate, what else are Mirabell and Fainall doing?

3. Why is eavesdropping so successful in Act 3, Scene 1?

4. What is the purpose of the play?

5. What is a cabal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship between Waitwell and Foible?

2. Why are fame and fortune said to be 'fleeting'?

3. Describe Mirabell's feelings for Mrs. Millamant when he discusses his love for her with Fainall in Act 1, Scene 2 in the chocolate house.

4. Describe Fainall's character.

5. What opinion do you have of Mirabell's trickery in pretending to love Lady Wishfort in order to marry Mrs. Millamant? Is this too far-fetched to be believable or is it a possibility? Explain your point of view using specific examples from the play.

6. What do you think that Mirabell's scheme to marry Mrs. Millamant will entail?

7. Describe Sir Wilfull Witwoud.

8. Describe Mrs. Millamant.

9. 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?

10. Why does Congreve believe that 'natural fools' are blessed by fortune?

(see the answer keys)

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