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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 Congreve believe about good satirists?
(a) They should enjoy their power.
(b) They should keep their subjects anonymous.
(c) They have the freedom to lampoon the famous.
(d) They have the obligation to discuss sexual topics in a funny way.

2. What does Mirabell, on the other hand, ask of Mrs. Millamant if they are married?
(a) To love him always.
(b) To never be as unfaithful as Mrs. Fainall.
(c) To not become a gossip.
(d) To plot with only her female friends.

3. Why does Congreve say these critics should be the subject of onstage satire?
(a) Because they would retaliate.
(b) Because they are not important enough to bother with.
(c) Because critics should not be made fun of since they hold a lot of power with the public.
(d) Because this would inflate their sense of self-importance.

4. 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 frustrates Mrs. Marwood and pleases Fainall.
(c) She pleases Lady Wishfort and retains her fortune.
(d) She angers Sir Wilfull Witwoud and Fainall.

5. Which one of the following statements was not revealed by Mincing to Foible?
(a) Mirabell orders her to hide until Lady Wishfort gets over being angry.
(b) Mirabell got Waitwell out of jail.
(c) Fainall has threatened to divorce his wife unless she gives him her fortune.
(d) Fainall has ordered Mirabell arrested.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has happened to Waitwell after Lady Wishfort discovers what he really is?

2. What has Lady Wishfort discovered that has her so angry at the beginning of Act 5, Scene 1?

3. Why did Congreve use the epilogue?

4. How do Fainall and Mrs. Marwood decide to reveal Mirabell's plan to Lady Wishfort?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do we feel sympathy for Lady Wishfort even though she is vain and is berating a servant at the beginning Act 5, Scene 1?

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

3. Explain the significance of the document in the black box.

4. Why does Mirabell agree to help the Fainall's achieve peace in their marriage?

5. 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?

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

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

8. Discuss Lady Wishfort's character as it has developed throughout the play.

9. Discuss Lady Wishfort's reaction to Foible's revelations in Act 5, Scene 1.

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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