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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 would have received Mrs. Millamant's fortune if Lady Wishfort took it from her?
(a) Fainall.
(b) Her husband.
(c) Mrs. Fainall.
(d) Lady Wishfort.

2. Even though she has been deceived by Mirabell and berates Foible, Lady Wishfort is shown as a __________ character.
(a) Clever.
(b) Sympathetic.
(c) Stupid.
(d) Charming.

3. 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 suitor, Sir Rowland, was a fake.
(c) Her maid was stealing from her.
(d) Sir Rowland was actually a foreigner.

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

5. What does Foible tell Mrs. Millamant when she reaches her in Act 4, Scene 1?
(a) That her Lady Wishfort wishes to see her.
(b) That she should begin to dress for dinner.
(c) That her aunt is almost ready to receive Sir Wilfull.
(d) That Mirabell is waiting to see her.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Which character(s) leave the dining room in Act 4, Scene 2?

3. What does the expression 'errant knave' mean?

4. What does Foible claim that Lady Wishfort will discover about Waitwell?

5. What social issues did the play focus on?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mrs. Marwood one of the least sympathetic characters in the play?

2. How do critics today differ from Congreve's description of them?

3. What is the significance of the black box?

4. Explain Mrs. Fainall's relief at not being found out by her mother.

5. 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.

6. Discuss Lady Wishfort's plans for receiving Sir Rowland. Why are the plans so elaborate?

7. Discuss Mrs. Marwood's statements in Act 5, Scene 2.

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

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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