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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 Lady Wishfort doing as Act 4, Scene 2 commences?
(a) Lecturing Sir Wilfull on his drunkenness.
(b) Having tea with her guests.
(c) Playing cards with her guests.
(d) Chatting casually.

2. What does Mrs. Millamant achieve when she renounces Mirabell?
(a) She creates an out for Mirabell and destroys Lady Wishfort's plan to marry Sir Rowland.
(b) She angers Sir Wilfull Witwoud and Fainall.
(c) She pleases Lady Wishfort and retains her fortune.
(d) She frustrates Mrs. Marwood and pleases Fainall.

3. What does Sir Rowland claim as he enters the dining room and greets Lady Wishfort?
(a) He wants to have a quiet wedding in the country.
(b) He claims that Mirabell will starve him to prevent their marriage.
(c) He will die of a broken heart if their marriage is delayed.
(d) He will be patient and wait for the wedding to occur.

4. Congreve's character Mirabell is a master ________ .
(a) Planner.
(b) Of all trades.
(c) Lover.
(d) Schemer.

5. Why are failed poets unable to judge Congreve's play?
(a) They would be jealous.
(b) They simply lack the ability to judge another poet's work.
(c) They have no standards as they have already been proven failures.
(d) They would never agree that someone else is successful.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sir Wilfull Witwoud's remarks on Wishfort's dressing reveal about his character?

2. What does Congreve's cheerful discussion of marriage reveal to the audience?

3. All of the following characteristics of Lady Wishfort's girlish excitement at Sir Rowland's visit are revealed except one. Which characteristic is not true of Lady Wishfort?

4. What is Lady Wishfort's reaction to Mrs. Marwood's suggestion about Mrs. Fainall?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the significance of Sir Wilfull Witwoud's travels.

2. What is the significance of the black box?

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

4. Explain the importance of the discussion of their marriage by Mrs. Millamant and Mirabell.

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

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

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

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

9. Why is this play considered to be universal instead of simply a Restoration comedy of manners?

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

(see the answer keys)

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