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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. While drinking chocolate, what else are Mirabell and Fainall doing?
(a) Smoking.
(b) Drinking.
(c) Discussing their travel plans.
(d) Playing cards.

2. Who are Witwoud and Petulant?
(a) Lady Wishfort's servants.
(b) Followers of Mrs. Millamant.
(c) Important gentlemen of this social group.
(d) Mrs. Millamant's servants.

3. What does Lady Wishfort do when she enters her dressing room?
(a) She dresses for dinner and sends Mrs. Marwood down ahead of her.
(b) She lets Marwood out and apologizes.
(c) She apologizes and asks her to accompany her to dinner.
(d) She invites Mrs. Marwood to stay for dinner.

4. What has Mrs. Marwood overheard in her hiding place while Lady Wishfort questions Foible and after Lady Wishfort leaves the room?
(a) Mrs. Fainall's affection for her.
(b) Foible's plans.
(c) Lady Wishfort's plans.
(d) All of Mirabell's plot.

5. What is the purpose of the play?
(a) To instruct the audience in life.
(b) To add to the audience's knowledge.
(c) To lecture the audience and therefore, society.
(d) To entertain the audience.

Short Answer Questions

1. The prologue begins with a comparison of what?

2. Why is eavesdropping so successful in Act 3, Scene 1?

3. Why does Congreve tell the audience that they will not be offended to any reference to fools in the play?

4. What does the prologue permit Congreve to do to the audience?

5. Where is Mrs. Marwood at the opening of Act 3, Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Mrs. Marwood is someone who thinks of revenge when others cross her. What scheme do you think Mrs. Marwood is planning to extract her revenge on Mirabell?

2. Explain Fainall's circumstances as we know them by Act 2, Scene 1. What is his relationship with the women in the play?

3. Describe how the cosmetics used in Act 3, Scene 1 become a symbol.

4. How does Congreve feel about Mirabell's plot?

5. Why does Congreve use 'eavesdropping' in Act 3, Scene 1?

6. Describe Mirabell's character.

7. Explain what Mrs. Marwood learned when she stayed in the closet in Lady Wishfort's dressing room. How does she react?

8. Congreve says the play doesn't contain satire yet the play is full of satirical pictures of different behaviors by the characters. Why do you think he made this statement?

9. Describe Petulant.

10. What do you think is Congreve's purpose in establishing an affair between Fainall and Mrs. Marwood?

(see the answer keys)

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