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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. Why does Mrs. Marwood urge Lady Wishfort to reconsider her desire to hear Fainall's proof of his wife's adultery?
(a) Her daughter betrayed her.
(b) Nothing warrants her daughter's actions.
(c) Mrs. Fainall is still carrying on.
(d) A public scandal would damage the family's reputation.

2. One of the three types of critics that Concreve claims is_____________.
(a) Mirabell.
(b) Celebrities.
(c) Tabloid reporters.
(d) Other playwrights.

3. What purpose does the interaction between Sir Rowland and Lady Wishfort serve as they discuss marriage?
(a) To conciliate their arrangement.
(b) To convey Congreve's opinion of Restoration courtship.
(c) To demonstrate the honesty of the two characters.
(d) As a caricature of courtship.

4. What does Foible claim that Lady Wishfort will discover about Waitwell?
(a) He is an errant knave.
(b) He is a gentleman.
(c) He is a knight of the realm.
(d) He is a scoundrel.

5. What does Mrs. Marwood do to stop the argument between Petulant and Sir Wilfull in Act 3, Scene 3?
(a) She asks Sir Wilfull to stay in the city.
(b) She introduces the two brothers.
(c) She asks them to be quiet.
(d) She says she has a headache.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mrs. Millamant agree to marry Sir Wilfull?

2. When accused of adultery, what does Mrs. Fainall do?

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

4. What inconvenience does Foible point out about Sir Rowland to Lady Wishfort?

5. What seems to determine the success of the characters in the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare Congreve's opinions on love, marriage, and honesty with another play, novel, movie, etc. you know well.

2. What makes the scene between Mrs. Fainall and Foible comic?

3. How have the fortunes of the lovers been determined in this play? Is this a good thing or a bad one? Explain your point of view.

4. How do you think audiences in this era would react to such a revolutionary position as that of Mrs. Millamant who was asking for equal rights?

5. What is the significance of the black box?

6. As Act 4, Scene 2 opens Waitwell seems to be successful in his pursuit of Lady Wishfort. Why is this so? What is Lady Wishfort's reaction?

7. In what way does the discussion of marriage between Lady Wishfort and Sir Rowland differ from the discussion of Mrs. Millamant and Mirabell?

8. Why does Lady Wishfort come to the conclusion that Sir Wilfull will not make a good husband for Mrs. Millamant?

9. Why does Lady Wishfort accept Mirabell offer to help Mrs. Millamant?

10. Is Mirabell's elaborate plot going to be successful? Explain why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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