Dracula, Chapter 23 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. According to Van Helsing, what institution did Dracula attend during his mortal life?

   • The University of Budapest
   • Correct answer: The Scholomance
   • The Royal Academy of Sciences
   • The Transylvanian Seminary

   Van Helsing tells the group that Dracula "dared even to attend the Scholomance," a legendary school of dark magic in Romanian folklore.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. How many earth boxes do Godalming and Morris destroy at Dracula's other London properties?

   • Six total
   • Eight total
   • Correct answer: Twelve total
   • Twenty total

   They report: "We found both places; six boxes in each and we destroyed them all!" -- totaling twelve boxes.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. What falls out of Dracula's coat when Harker slashes it with the Kukri knife?

   • A map and key
   • Correct answer: Bank notes and gold coins
   • Earth from his homeland
   • A crucifix and holy water

   Harker's blow "his coat, making a wide gap whence a bundle of bank-notes and a stream of gold fell out."

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. Who takes charge of positioning the group for the ambush against Dracula?

   • Van Helsing
   • Jonathan Harker
   • Correct answer: Quincey Morris
   • Lord Godalming

   Seward notes that Morris "had always been the one to arrange the plan of action" and "With a swift glance around the room, he at once laid out our plan of attack,"

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • True or False: Dracula exits the house through the front door after the confrontation.

     Didn't happen

     Dracula dives under Harker's arm and crashes through a window, falling into the flagged area below, then escapes through the stable yard.

   • True or False: Mina asks Van Helsing to hypnotize her before dawn because she believes the psychic link is strongest at that time.

     Happened

     Mina says: "He must hypnotise me before the dawn, and then I shall be able to speak. Go quick, dearest; the time is getting close."

   • True or False: Jonathan Harker's hair turned white gradually over several weeks due to worry.

     Didn't happen

     Seward describes the change happening overnight. "Last night he was a frank, happy-looking man... with dark brown hair. Today he is a drawn, haggard old man, whose white hair matches well with the hollow burning eyes."

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. What does Van Helsing conclude from Dracula's threatening speech in the stable yard?

   • That Dracula has reinforcements coming
   • Correct answer: That Dracula fears them despite his brave words
   • That Dracula will return that night
   • That Dracula has already turned Mina completely

   Van Helsing observes: "Notwithstanding his brave words, he fears us; he fear time, he fear want! For if not, why he hurry so?"

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. In the chapter, what does the word "trenchant" mean when describing Harker's knife blade?

   • Dull and rusty
   • Correct answer: Sharp and cutting
   • Curved and serrated
   • Blessed and holy

   "Trenchant" means sharp or incisive. The text reads: "the trenchant blade had shorn through his coat" -- describing the knife's cutting power.

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. What does "perfunctory" mean as used in "We had a sort of perfunctory supper together"?

   • Elaborate and formal
   • Correct answer: Done with minimal effort as a routine
   • Hurried and frantic
   • Celebratory and joyful

   "Perfunctory" means carried out without real interest or care. The group ate mechanically, too consumed by worry to pay attention to the meal.

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. What does Mina hear under hypnosis that reveals Dracula is on a ship?

   • Dracula speaking in Romanian
   • Seagulls and wind
   • Correct answer: Lapping water, men stamping overhead, and a capstan chain
   • The ship's horn blowing

   Mina describes: "The lapping of water. It is gurgling by" and "The sound of men stamping overhead... the creaking of a chain, and the loud tinkle as the check of the capstan falls into the ratchet."

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. Why does Van Helsing insist they must continue pursuing Dracula even after he has left England?

    • Because Dracula stole valuable documents
    • Correct answer: Because he can live for centuries while Mina is mortal
    • Because Dracula plans to raise an army in Transylvania
    • Because the British government has ordered his capture

    Van Helsing tells Mina: "he can live for centuries, and you are but mortal woman. Time is now to be dreaded--since once he put that mark upon your throat."

    Read the passage
11. 11

    Question 11. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

    • True or False: Mina urges the men to destroy Dracula out of hatred and vengeance.

      Didn't happen

      Mina says the opposite: "it is not a work of hate. That poor soul who has wrought all this misery is the saddest case of all." She urges pity and mercy.

    Read the passage
12. 12

    Question 12. What is a "capstan" as mentioned in the hypnosis scene?

    • A type of sail on a ship
    • Correct answer: A vertical cylinder used to wind ropes or raise an anchor
    • A navigation instrument
    • A ship's steering wheel

    A capstan is a revolving cylinder on a ship used for winding cables. Mina hears "the loud tinkle as the check of the capstan falls into the" indicating the ship is weighing anchor.

    Read the passage
13. 13

    Question 13. What Latin phrase does Van Helsing use to describe Dracula's strategy?

    • Carpe diem
    • Correct answer: Festina lente
    • Memento mori
    • Veni, vidi, vici

    Van Helsing says "Festina lente may well be his motto," meaning "make haste slowly" -- reflecting Dracula's patient, centuries-long approach to building his power.

    Read the passage