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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Danceny give his first note to Cécile?
(a) He hides it in her harp case.
(b) He throws it on her lap.
(c) He gives it to Valmont to pass to her.
(d) He slips it under her bedroom door.

2. What does Cécile tell Danceny in letter 49?
(a) That Merteuil convinced her to continue writing to him.
(b) That her duty to God and her future husband prevent her from being with him.
(c) That she wants to continue their relationship.
(d) That she will meet him at a secret location to consummate their love.

3. Who are the two people Cécile admits she likes best?
(a) Valmont and Merteuil.
(b) Merteuil and Madame de Rosemonde.
(c) Merteuil and Danceny.
(d) Danceny and Madame de Volanges.

4. How did French society view Laclos after the publication of _Les Liaisons Dangereuses_?
(a) As a "mystery."
(b) As a "genius."
(c) As a "saint."
(d) As a "monster."

5. What event does Madame de Volanges' sudden illness threaten?
(a) Merteuil's meeting with Valmont.
(b) Danceny's meeting with Madame de Tourvel.
(c) Cécile's secret meeting with Danceny.
(d) Cécile's meeting with Valmont.

6. How does Valmont give Cécile her letter from Danceny?
(a) He tosses it in her lap.
(b) He reads it aloud.
(c) He gives it to her on a walk in the countryside.
(d) He slips it under her bedroom door.

7. What does Merteuil do to get herself in the mood for sex with her lover?
(a) She reads.
(b) She daydreams.
(c) She drinks wine.
(d) She gazes at herself in the mirror.

8. On what issue does Cécile ask Merteuil's advice in letter 27?
(a) Whether she should tell her mother of her interest in Danceny.
(b) Which gown she should wear to the opera the next night.
(c) Whether it would be wrong to correspond with Danceny.
(d) Whether Merteuil thinks Danceny will remain faithful.

9. How does Madame de Tourvel react when Valmont professes his love?
(a) She bursts into tears.
(b) She scolds him.
(c) She faints on the floor.
(d) She stands bemused and silent.

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

11. What idea does Merteuil plant in Cécile's head after the revelation of her and Danceny's love?
(a) Becoming a nun.
(b) Shifting her desire to Valmont.
(c) Running away with Danceny.
(d) Seeing Danceny in secret.

12. What advice does Cécile's friend offer regarding Danceny's letter?
(a) Cécile should reply immediately and assure Danceny of her love.
(b) Cécile should not respond.
(c) Cécile should show the letter to her mother.
(d) Cécile should reply and chastise Danceny for taking such a liberty.

13. How does Coward recommend the novel should be criticized?
(a) By using a variety of critical theories and methodologies.
(b) By referencing only the text itself, and no outside information.
(c) By placing the novel only in the context of 18th-century France.
(d) By employing only what the reader knows about Laclos' life.

14. What does Danceny refuse to do, despite Madame de Volanges' request?
(a) Marry another woman.
(b) Travel abroad to forget Cécile.
(c) Return Cécile's letters.
(d) Burn his letters.

15. What has Merteuil tricked Cécile into doing?
(a) Refusing to marry the Comte de Gercourt.
(b) Telling Madame de Volanges about her love for Danceny.
(c) Sleeping with Valmont.
(d) Meeting with Danceny alone.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Valmont contrive to grope the woman he wants to seduce?

2. How does Valmont act toward Madame de Tourvel, as reported in letter 11?

3. What does Valmont ask Madame de Tourvel to do in letter 35?

4. To whom does the Marquise de Merteuil confide her plots?

5. Who or what does Coward see as at fault for the events of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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