Jane Eyre, Chapter VI quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why are the girls at Lowood unable to wash on the morning described in Chapter VI?

   • The north-east wind has blown out every rushlight
   • The lengthy prayers leave no opportunity to wash
   • Correct answer: The water in the pitchers has frozen overnight
   • There is only one basin for every six girls

   A keen north-east wind blew all night, and the water in the ewers turned to ice, making washing impossible.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. What class is Jane enrolled in at Lowood?

   • Correct answer: The fourth class
   • The first class
   • The second class
   • The third class

   Jane is enrolled as a member of the fourth class, where she is assigned regular tasks and occupations.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. What subject is Helen Burns' class studying when Miss Scatcherd punishes her?

   • Geography, using the globes from the first class
   • Bible reading, especially the New Testament
   • French grammar, as taught by Madame Pierrot
   • Correct answer: English history, specifically the reign of Charles I

   The lesson covers English history, including the reign of Charles I, with questions about tonnage, poundage, and ship-money.

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. What does Miss Scatcherd accuse Helen of that leads to her flogging?

   • Speaking out of turn during the lesson
   • Correct answer: Having dirty, uncleaned nails
   • Reading a novel instead of paying attention
   • Failing to answer history questions correctly

   Miss Scatcherd cries out "You dirty, disagreeable girl! you have never cleaned your nails this morning!" despite the water being frozen.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. What book is Helen Burns reading when Jane finds her by the fire?

   • Correct answer: Rasselas by Samuel Johnson
   • Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
   • The Bible
   • Paradise Lost by John Milton

   Helen is reading Rasselas by Samuel Johnson, a philosophical tale about the search for happiness, which mirrors her contemplative nature.

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. According to Helen Burns, what is the proper Christian response to those who mistreat you?

   • Avoid them entirely and seek new companions
   • Correct answer: Love your enemies and bless those who curse you
   • Endure silently but remember every wrong for future redress
   • Report them to the authorities

   Helen quotes Christ's teaching from the New Testament: "Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you."

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. What does Jane say she would do if struck with the rod?

   • Report the teacher's cruelty to Mr. Brocklehurst
   • Endure it patiently and return good for evil
   • Correct answer: Take it from the teacher's hand and break it under her nose
   • Run away from Lowood and return to Gateshead

   Jane fiercely declares: "I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose," showing her passionate belief in fighting back against injustice.

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. How does Helen describe her behavior when Miss Temple teaches?

   • She becomes more distracted than usual, imagining the bubbling brook near her Northumberland home
   • She makes a determined effort because she fears Miss Temple's severity as much as Miss Scatcherd's
   • She falls asleep because Miss Temple's explanations are too quiet and must be awakened to reply
   • Correct answer: She is attentive because Miss Temple's language is agreeable and the information is exactly what she wished to learn

   Helen says Miss Temple "has generally something to say which is newer than my own reflections" and her language is "singularly agreeable," keeping Helen's attention naturally.

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • Did Helen Burns cry openly when Miss Scatcherd flogged her with the bundle of twigs?

     Didn't happen

     Helen showed no outward emotion during the flogging: "Not a tear rose to Burns' eye" and "not a feature of her pensive face altered its ordinary expression." Only afterward did Jane glimpse "the trace of a tear" on her cheek as she emerged from the book-closet.

   • Did Jane tell Helen about her experiences at Gateshead with Mrs. Reed?

     Happened

     Yes. After Helen asks Jane to explain about Mrs. Reed and John, Jane proceeds "to pour out, in my own way, the tale of my sufferings and resentments. Bitter and truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening."

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. What does the word "animadversions" mean as used in the phrase "the animadversions or commendations of Miss Scatcherd"?

    • Feelings of strong dislike or hostility
    • Compliments or words of encouragement
    • Correct answer: Harsh criticisms or censorious remarks
    • Careful attention or close observation

    "Animadversions" means harsh criticisms or censorious remarks. It is paired with "commendations" (praise) to describe the range of Miss Scatcherd's responses to the girls' reading.

    Read the passage
11. 11

    Question 11. What does "meed" mean when Helen says Miss Temple "gives me my meed liberally"?

    • Correct answer: A deserved share or reward
    • A sympathetic look or gesture
    • A punishment or penalty
    • A written evaluation or report

    "Meed" is an archaic word meaning a deserved share or reward. Helen uses it to describe the praise Miss Temple gives when Helen does something worthy.

    Read the passage
12. 12

    Question 12. What does "truculent" mean when Jane describes herself as "bitter and truculent when excited"?

    • Sad and tearful; easily overcome by grief
    • Quiet and withdrawn; shy and unwilling to speak
    • Confused and uncertain; unsure what to say
    • Correct answer: Eager to argue or fight; aggressively defiant

    "Truculent" means eager to argue or fight, aggressively defiant. Jane uses it to describe how fiercely she speaks when telling Helen about her mistreatment at Gateshead.

    Read the passage