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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Madame de Tourvel promise to Madame de Volanges in letter 11?
(a) That she will consider no one's feelings, but her own.
(b) That she will do everything Valmont asks of her.
(c) That she will treat Valmont coldly.
(d) That she will request that Valmont leave the estate.

2. Why must Cécile's marriage be postponed?
(a) Her fiancé is gravely ill.
(b) Cécile has second thoughts about marriage.
(c) Her fiancé is away with his regiment.
(d) Cécile plans to travel and further her education.

3. How did Laclos' contemporary critics feel his novel would impact society?
(a) The novel would showcase French literary talent.
(b) The novel would offer scrupulous moral lessons.
(c) The novel would corrupt more people than it saved.
(d) The novel would challenge the political regime.

4. In letter 52, what does Valmont accuse Madame de Tourvel of slandering?
(a) Valmont's reputation.
(b) Her own reputation.
(c) The concepts of friendship and trust.
(d) The generosity of Valmont's aunt.

5. Whom does Merteuil want to manipulate into a relationship with Cécile?
(a) Monsieur de Tourvel.
(b) Valmont.
(c) Azolan.
(d) Danceny.

6. How does Coward characterize each "chapter" in __Les Liaisons Dangereuses_?
(a) They are "theatrical."
(b) They are "identical to one another."
(c) They are "flighty."
(d) They are "stodgy."

7. What is Valmont and Danceny's relationship as of letter 57?
(a) Wary and cautious.
(b) Vengeful and angry.
(c) Open and trusting.
(d) They do not have a relationship.

8. Who is the author of the Editor's Preface?
(a) Philippe-Égalité.
(b) Laclos' wife, Marie-Soulange Duperré.
(c) Choderlos de Laclos.
(d) A close friend of Laclos.

9. Who notified Madame de Volanges of Cécile and Danceny's romance?
(a) Cécile, accidentally.
(b) Madame de Tourvel.
(c) Merteuil.
(d) Valmont.

10. What does Madame de Tourvel allow Valmont to do?
(a) Tell Madame de Rosemonde about his feelings for her.
(b) Have sex with her.
(c) Stay at Madame de Rosemonde's estate.
(d) Write to her while they are apart.

11. With what circumstance is Danceny most frustrated?
(a) Valmont's apparent silence on Danceny and Cécile's affair.
(b) The inconvenience of being stuck in Paris for business matters.
(c) His inability to express his feelings to Cécile.
(d) The weather prevents him from traveling.

12. With which philosophical movement of the 18th century is Laclos associated?
(a) The Age of Realism.
(b) The French Enlightenment.
(c) The Late Renaissance.
(d) The French Victorian period.

13. Whom does Valmont plan to seduce?
(a) Madame de Tourvel.
(b) Josephine.
(c) Madame de Volanges.
(d) Merteuil.

14. Who does Valmont trick to spend time with the Vicomtesse de M?
(a) Merteuil.
(b) Armand.
(c) Vressac.
(d) Philippe.

15. What does Valmont say is notable about the man pursuing Merteuil?
(a) He is well endowed.
(b) He ranks high in the King's court.
(c) He is ugly, but nevertheless a great seducer.
(d) Through skilled conversation, he can get anyone to admit to anything.

Short Answer Questions

1. What advice does Valmont give to Madame de Tourvel?

2. How do today's readers of Laclos interpret his novel?

3. Why does Valmont think it possible to seduce this woman?

4. What ruse does Valmont use to attempt to secretly rifle through Madame de Tourvel's letters?

5. How does Valmont give Cécile her letter from Danceny?

(see the answer keys)

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