Jane Eyre, Chapter I quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What book does Jane read while hiding in the window seat?

   • Henry, Earl of Moreland
   • Goldsmith's History of Rome
   • Correct answer: Bewick's History of British Birds
   • Pamela by Samuel Richardson

   Jane selects Bewick's History of British Birds from the bookcase, drawn to its pictures of solitary birds and desolate Arctic landscapes.

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2. 2

   Question 2. How old is Jane Eyre at the beginning of the novel?

   • Twelve years old
   • Eight years old
   • Nine years old
   • Correct answer: Ten years old

   Jane states that John Reed is fourteen and "four years older than I, for I was but ten."

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3. 3

   Question 3. To whom does Jane compare John Reed after he hurls the book at her?

   • Correct answer: A murderer, a slave-driver, and the Roman emperors
   • A pirate, a highwayman, and a wicked knight
   • A fiend, a thief, and the black horned thing
   • A sneaking rat, Madam Mope, and a bad animal

   Jane cries, "You are like a murderer--you are like a slave-driver--you are like the Roman emperors!" She had read Goldsmith's History of Rome and drawn parallels to Nero and Caligula.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What reason does Mrs. Reed give for excluding Jane from the family group?

   • Jane has been quarrelling and crying with her cousins
   • Correct answer: Jane must develop a more sociable and childlike disposition
   • Jane must stop reading the family's books without permission
   • Jane has been rude and ungrateful to Bessie the nurse

   Mrs. Reed says she must exclude Jane "until she heard from Bessie" that Jane was endeavouring to acquire "a more sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly manner."

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5. 5

   Question 5. What punishment does Mrs. Reed order for Jane after her fight with John?

   • Correct answer: Jane is locked in the red-room
   • Jane must write an apology letter
   • Jane must go without supper
   • Jane is sent to bed early

   Mrs. Reed commands, "Take her away to the red-room, and lock her in there." Four hands seize Jane and carry her upstairs.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Why is John Reed home from school?

   • His schoolmaster dismissed him for gorging on cakes and sweetmeats
   • Mr. Miles expelled him for bullying and fighting with classmates
   • He returned to take possession of the house he will inherit
   • Correct answer: His mother brought him home for his supposedly delicate health

   His mother took him home for a month or two "on account of his delicate health," though his schoolmaster Mr. Miles says he would be fine with fewer cakes and sweetmeats.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What weather conditions open the novel?

   • A foggy October dawn with heavy mist over the leafless shrubbery
   • A snowy December evening with frost, ice, and freezing winds
   • Correct answer: A cold, rainy November afternoon with sombre clouds and penetrating rain
   • A calm summer evening with a crescent moon over the churchyard

   The chapter opens: "There was no possibility of taking a walk that day." The cold winter wind brought "clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating" that outdoor exercise was impossible.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Who reveals Jane's hiding place in the window seat to John Reed?

   • Mrs. Reed
   • Correct answer: Eliza
   • Bessie
   • Georgiana

   Eliza puts her head in at the door and says, "She is in the window-seat, to be sure, Jack." Jane comes out immediately, trembling at the idea of being dragged forth.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events actually occur in Chapter I of Jane Eyre?

   • Jane hides in a window seat behind a red moreen curtain to read.

     Happened

   • John Reed throws a book at Jane and cuts her head.

     Happened

   • Bessie defends Jane against John Reed's bullying.

     Didn't happen

   • Jane compares John to the Roman emperors.

     Happened

   • Mrs. Reed slaps Jane across the face.

     Didn't happen

   • Jane is carried upstairs and locked in the red-room.

     Happened

   • Jane runs outside into the rain to escape John.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these details about the Reed household are stated in Chapter I?

    • John Reed is fourteen years old and four years older than Jane.

      Happened

    • Mrs. Reed lies reclined on a sofa by the fireside with her children.

      Happened

    • Jane's uncle Mr. Reed appears and tries to protect her.

      Didn't happen

    • John's schoolmaster Mr. Miles blames his poor health on too many sweets from home.

      Happened

    • Georgiana and Eliza fight with John to defend Jane.

      Didn't happen

    • The servants avoid taking Jane's side against their young master.

      Happened

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does "antipathy" mean as used in the sentence "John had not much affection for his mother and sisters, and an antipathy to me"?

    • Correct answer: A deep-seated feeling of strong dislike or aversion
    • A sense of cool indifference or disinterest
    • A stubborn habit of contradicting and opposing others
    • A warm feeling of fondness, sympathy, or affection

    "Antipathy" means a strong feeling of dislike or hostility. Jane uses it to describe John's active hatred toward her, which goes beyond mere indifference.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does "diffidence" mean when Jane says she asked John "with awkward diffidence"?

    • Rebellious defiance or refusal to obey
    • Aggressive boldness or forward confidence
    • Polite disagreement or difference of opinion
    • Correct answer: Shy hesitation or lack of self-confidence

    "Diffidence" means shyness or timidity. Jane approaches John with awkward hesitation, knowing that he is likely to bully her regardless of how she behaves.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What does "impudence" mean when John says "That is for your impudence in answering mama"?

    • Unwise rashness or carelessness
    • Correct answer: Rude boldness or disrespect
    • Polite respect or humility
    • Weakness or powerlessness

    "Impudence" means rude, bold disrespect. John uses it to justify hitting Jane, claiming she was being insolent by answering Mrs. Reed back.

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