Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 15 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. How does Austen describe Mr. Collins at the opening of Chapter 15?

   • A learned man who had formed many useful acquaintances at the university he attended
   • Correct answer: A man who was not sensible, whose deficiency of nature had been little assisted by education
   • A charming clergyman whose natural wit compensated for his lack of formal education
   • A man of genuine humility, which his father's strict guidance had made a lasting part of his character

   Austen states plainly that "Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society."

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2. 2

   Question 2. What kind of father raised Mr. Collins?

   • A respected clergyman who groomed Collins to follow in his professional footsteps
   • A quarrelsome but learned gentleman who sent him to university to form useful connections
   • A generous landowner who gave Collins every educational advantage available to him
   • Correct answer: An illiterate and miserly father who kept him in subjection throughout his early years

   "The greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father" who brought him up in subjection.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Through whose patronage did Mr. Collins obtain the living of Hunsford?

   • Mr. Bennet, as a gesture of goodwill toward his distant cousin and future heir
   • The Bishop of the diocese, who recognized Collins's potential as a parish clergyman
   • Correct answer: Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whose patronage Collins received through fortunate chance
   • Mr. Darcy, who recommended Collins as a favor to his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh

   "A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant."

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4. 4

   Question 4. What phrase does Austen use to summarize Collins's personality?

   • Correct answer: "Altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility"
   • "A curious blend of scholarly ambition and social awkwardness in equal measure"
   • "An earnest gentleman whose sincerity was matched only by his lack of worldly sense"
   • "A man of quiet dignity, whose natural reserve concealed a generous and feeling heart"

   Austen describes Collins as "altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility" — a character built on contradictions.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Why does Mr. Collins intend to marry one of the Bennet daughters?

   • Lady Catherine de Bourgh has specifically ordered him to marry into the Bennet family
   • He wishes to improve his social standing by marrying into a well-connected local family
   • He has fallen deeply in love with the family after reading their letters of introduction
   • Correct answer: He views it as atonement for inheriting their father's estate through the entailment

   Collins sees marrying a Bennet daughter as "his plan of amends -- of atonement -- for inheriting their father's estate."

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6. 6

   Question 6. Who does Collins initially choose to marry, and why?

   • Lydia, because her youthful energy and social confidence remind him of Lady Catherine
   • Correct answer: Jane, because her lovely face confirms his views on what is due to seniority as eldest
   • Mary, because her studious nature and moral seriousness match his clerical profession
   • Elizabeth, because her wit and intelligence make her the most suitable companion for him

   "Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for the first evening she was his settled choice."

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7. 7

   Question 7. How does Mrs. Bennet redirect Collins away from Jane?

   • Correct answer: She hints that her eldest daughter is likely to be very soon engaged to another suitor
   • She criticizes Jane's health and suggests Elizabeth would make a more robust wife
   • She praises Elizabeth's piano playing and reading habits as better suited for a clergyman
   • She tells Collins directly that Jane is in love with Bingley and will not consider him

   Mrs. Bennet hints that "her eldest daughter, she must just mention -- she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged."

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8. 8

   Question 8. How quickly does Collins switch his matrimonial target from Jane to Elizabeth?

   • He deliberates for several days before deciding that Elizabeth is a worthy alternative
   • He takes the whole of the walk to Meryton to decide, and settles on Elizabeth before they arrive
   • Correct answer: It is done almost instantly, while Mrs. Bennet is stirring the fire during their conversation
   • He consults Lady Catherine by letter and receives her approval within the same week

   "Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth -- and it was soon done -- done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire."

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9. 9

   Question 9. Why is Mr. Bennet eager to have Collins join his daughters' walk to Meryton?

   • He wants Collins to meet Mr. and Mrs. Phillips and make himself known to the family in Meryton
   • Correct answer: He wants to get rid of Collins, who has followed him into the library and talks incessantly
   • He hopes Collins will observe the militia officers and report back on their character
   • He wants Collins to serve as a proper chaperone for his unmarried daughters in town

   Mr. Bennet "was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast" and talked nonstop about Hunsford.

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10. 10

    Question 10. Who introduces Mr. Wickham to the Bennet sisters in Meryton?

    • Correct answer: Mr. Denny, an officer who brought Wickham from London and introduces him as his friend
    • Mrs. Phillips, who has been watching Wickham walk up and down the street for the last hour
    • Colonel Forster, the commanding officer of the militia regiment stationed nearby
    • Mr. Bingley, who encounters the group while riding through Meryton with Mr. Darcy

    "Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town."

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11. 11

    Question 11. What commission has Wickham accepted in the militia?

    • A sergeant's commission, which he hopes to advance through distinguished service
    • A captain's commission, placing him among the senior officers of the regiment
    • A colonel's commission, giving him authority over an entire battalion of soldiers
    • Correct answer: A lieutenant's commission in the ----shire regiment stationed near Meryton

    Denny says Wickham "was happy to say had accepted a commission in their corps," and Mrs. Phillips later confirms it is "a lieutenant's commission."

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12. 12

    Question 12. What happens when Darcy and Wickham catch sight of each other?

    • Wickham turns away immediately and walks in the opposite direction to avoid confrontation
    • They greet each other warmly and shake hands, surprising Elizabeth with their familiarity
    • Correct answer: Both changed colour — one looked white, the other red — and Darcy barely returns Wickham's salutation
    • Darcy pretends not to recognize Wickham and rides past without any acknowledgment at all

    "Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat -- a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return."

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13. 13

    Question 13. Who witnesses the tense encounter between Darcy and Wickham?

    • Correct answer: Elizabeth, who happens to see both their faces and is filled with astonishment and curiosity
    • Lydia and Kitty, who gossip excitedly about the encounter with their aunt Mrs. Phillips
    • Jane Bennet, who immediately defends both men and attributes the tension to misunderstanding
    • Mr. Bingley, who comments on the strange atmosphere but chooses not to press the matter

    "Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting."

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14. 14

    Question 14. What entertainment does Mrs. Phillips plan for the following evening?

    • An elegant card party featuring whist and vingt-un with refreshments served at midnight
    • A formal dinner party with dancing and music performed by the officers' regimental band
    • Correct answer: A nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets and a little bit of hot supper afterwards
    • A quiet reading circle where guests take turns reciting poetry and discussing literature

    Mrs. Phillips promises "a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards."

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15. 15

    Question 15. What does Collins say about Mrs. Phillips after returning to Longbourn?

    • He mentions her briefly but spends most of the evening discussing Wickham's appearance
    • He complains that she failed to treat him with the deference due to his clerical position
    • He criticizes her modest home as being unworthy of the Bennet family's social standing
    • Correct answer: He praises her manners and says that except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he never saw a more elegant woman

    "He protested that, except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman" — comparing Mrs. Phillips favorably to everyone except his patroness.

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