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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 does Mrs. Marwood's discussion with Fainall reveal about her character?
(a) It suggests Fainall blackmailed Mirabell about his affair with his wife, Mrs. Fainall.
(b) It conveys her willingness to hurt anyone in order to get her way.
(c) It demonstrates her ability to get information from anyone.
(d) It shows she conspires with him often.

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

3. Why would tabloid reporters be unable to judge the play?
(a) They have no training in theater arts.
(b) They are unscrupulous.
(c) Because they want to connect famous people with the characters.
(d) They are gossip mongers.

4. Why does Sir Wilfull bow out of his marriage arrangement with Mrs. Millamant?
(a) He enjoys drinking and carousing with his friends.
(b) He likes being a free man.
(c) He does not like the city environment of lies and deceit.
(d) He wants to go home.

5. What problem must Lady Wishfort solve instead of attending Sir Rowland at the end of Act 4, Scene 1?
(a) The drunkenness of her other male guests.
(b) Problems between Mrs. Fainall and her husband.
(c) Mirabell's argument with Mrs. Millamant.
(d) Petulant's lady friends who are outside the house.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. Why does Lady Wishfort claim she cannot turn over her fortune to Fainall?

4. Why is the Fainall marriage over?

5. Why were Witwoud and Petulant arguing at the end of Act 4, Scent 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lay out Fainall's demands to keep his knowledge about his wife from society. Is this a reasonable revenge or not?

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

3. 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?

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

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

6. Does Congreve achieve his purpose with the endless teasing of Sir Wilfull by his half-brother Witwoud and Petulant?

7. Why is Mrs. Marwood trying to provoke Mrs. Millamant in Act 3, Scene 3?

8. As a play, The Way of the World met with little success. However, critics believe it is one of the best comedies of manners ever written. Why do you think there is such a difference in opinion between audiences and critics?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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