Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 31 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why are the Parsonage guests not invited to Rosings for nearly a week after the gentlemen arrive?

   • Miss de Bourgh's poor health has kept Lady Catherine at home and put a stop to the usual dinners at Rosings
   • Lady Catherine is still offended that Elizabeth would not give her a direct answer about her age
   • Correct answer: While there are visitors already in the house, the Parsonage party "could not be necessary" to Lady Catherine
   • Colonel Fitzwilliam has called at the Parsonage so often that her ladyship thinks a formal invitation unnecessary

   The narrator explains that "while there were visitors in the house, they could not be necessary," meaning Lady Catherine only invites the Parsonage group when she has no better company available.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Who has called at the Parsonage during the week before the Rosings invitation?

   • Correct answer: Colonel Fitzwilliam has called more than once, while Darcy has only been seen at church
   • Mr. Darcy has visited twice to speak privately with Elizabeth about Hertfordshire matters
   • Neither gentleman has called, as Lady Catherine forbids them from visiting the Parsonage alone
   • Both Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy have visited the Parsonage more than once during the week

   "Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy they had seen only at church."

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3. 3

   Question 3. What subjects do Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth discuss that draw the attention of Lady Catherine and Darcy?

   • Mr. Wickham's quarrel with Darcy, the officers quartered at Meryton, and the Bennet sisters' chances of marrying
   • Charlotte's management of the Parsonage household and Mr. Collins's sermons at Hunsford church
   • Elizabeth's family connections in Hertfordshire and the rumors surrounding Darcy and Miss de Bourgh
   • Correct answer: Kent and Hertfordshire, travelling and staying at home, new books and music -- a wide range of lively topics

   Fitzwilliam "talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before."

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does Lady Catherine claim about her relationship to music?

   • She considers music a frivolous pursuit beneath the dignity of ladies of her social standing
   • Correct answer: She says few people in England have more true enjoyment of music, and if she had ever learned, she would have been a great proficient
   • She admits she has no natural talent but compensates by attending every concert in London each season
   • She studied pianoforte under a London master for ten years but gave it up after marriage

   "There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient."

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5. 5

   Question 5. Where does Lady Catherine suggest Elizabeth is welcome to practice the pianoforte?

   • In the Parsonage parlour, where Lady Catherine promises to send a spare instrument from the Rosings collection
   • In the church vestry after Sunday services, where a small instrument is kept for the choir director
   • In the main music room at Rosings, provided she comes only in the mornings before Lady Catherine rises
   • Correct answer: In Mrs. Jenkinson's room at Rosings, where "she would be in nobody's way" in that part of the house

   "Though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house." Darcy looks ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding.

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6. 6

   Question 6. How does Darcy position himself when Elizabeth begins playing the pianoforte?

   • Correct answer: He walks away from Lady Catherine and stations himself to command a full view of Elizabeth's countenance
   • He draws a chair near her beside Colonel Fitzwilliam, so that he can turn the pages of her music as she plays
   • He moves to the far window and looks out at the garden, appearing indifferent to her performance
   • He remains seated beside Lady Catherine, listening from across the room with polite detachment

   Darcy walks "away from her, and making with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance."

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does Elizabeth say about her own character when she notices Darcy watching her play?

   • She says she is naturally shy and begs him not to watch so closely lest she make mistakes
   • Correct answer: She says there is a stubbornness about her that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others
   • She says she plays only for her own amusement and does not care what anyone thinks of her skill
   • She admits she is nervous but insists Colonel Fitzwilliam's company gives her enough courage to continue

   "There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does Darcy say he has learned about Elizabeth from their acquaintance?

   • That she is one of the most naturally talented musicians he has encountered outside London society
   • That she shares his preference for solitude and avoids the company of strangers whenever possible
   • Correct answer: That she finds great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not her own
   • That she is the most honest and straightforward woman of his acquaintance in every conversation

   "I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own."

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9. 9

   Question 9. What embarrassing story does Elizabeth tell Colonel Fitzwilliam about Darcy at the Meryton ball?

   • That Darcy refused to dance with any lady except Miss Bingley for the entire duration of the evening
   • Correct answer: That Darcy danced only four dances though gentlemen were scarce and young ladies sat without partners
   • That Darcy arrived late, spoke to no one outside Mr. Bingley's party, and left before the supper was served
   • That Darcy insulted Elizabeth within her hearing by calling her "not handsome enough to tempt me"

   "He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact."

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10. 10

    Question 10. How does Darcy defend his behavior at the Meryton ball?

    • Correct answer: He says he did not have the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond his own party
    • He says he had been warned by Bingley's sisters that the local families were beneath their social station
    • He claims the musicians played badly and he could not in good conscience dance to inferior music
    • He says he was unwell that evening and left early because he developed a severe headache

    "I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party." Elizabeth retorts sarcastically: "True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room."

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11. 11

    Question 11. How does Colonel Fitzwilliam explain why Darcy does not converse easily with strangers?

    • He blames Lady Catherine's overbearing influence, which made Darcy wary of all social interaction
    • He says Darcy was raised in isolation at Pemberley and never learned the social graces of London life
    • Correct answer: He says it is because Darcy will not give himself the trouble of making the effort
    • He attributes it to Darcy's perfectionism, saying his cousin fears saying anything less than brilliantly witty

    "I can answer your question," said Fitzwilliam, "without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble."

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12. 12

    Question 12. What analogy does Elizabeth draw between her piano playing and Darcy's social behavior?

    • She compares Darcy to an untuned instrument that produces harsh sounds no matter how skillfully it is played
    • She says music requires innate talent just as social grace does, and neither of them possesses it naturally
    • She says both she and Darcy perform best when nobody important is watching or listening
    • Correct answer: She says her fingers lack mastery because she will not practice, implying Darcy's social stiffness is equally a choice

    Elizabeth says her fingers lack "the same force or rapidity" but that "I have always supposed it to be my own fault -- because I will not take the trouble of practising." The clear implication is that Darcy's reserve is likewise a matter of choice, not inability.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What is Darcy's response to Elizabeth's analogy about practicing?

    • He disagrees firmly and says some talents are innate and cannot be acquired through mere practice
    • Correct answer: He says "You are perfectly right" and that no one hearing her can think anything wanting, adding "We neither of us perform to strangers"
    • He is visibly offended and walks away from the pianoforte without another word to Elizabeth
    • He changes the subject by asking Colonel Fitzwilliam to share an anecdote from his military service

    "You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers."

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14. 14

    Question 14. What does Lady Catherine say about Elizabeth's playing after approaching the pianoforte?

    • She says nothing about the playing itself but criticizes Elizabeth's posture and hand position at the keys
    • She praises Elizabeth warmly and says her playing rivals the finest performers she has heard in London
    • Correct answer: She says Elizabeth would not play at all amiss with more practice and a London master, though her taste is not equal to Anne's
    • She declares the pianoforte out of tune and blames Mrs. Jenkinson for neglecting to have it serviced

    "Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's."

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15. 15

    Question 15. What does Elizabeth conclude about Darcy's feelings toward Miss de Bourgh by the end of Chapter 31?

    • She suspects Darcy was once attached to Miss de Bourgh but has recently transferred his affections to someone else
    • She is convinced Darcy is deeply in love with Miss de Bourgh and will propose before the summer
    • She sees him cordially assent to his aunt's praise of Anne, and concludes he will marry his cousin just as Lady Catherine intends
    • Correct answer: She can discern no symptom of love and concludes he might as likely have married Miss Bingley, had she been his relation

    "Neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss de Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley, that he might have been just as likely to marry her, had she been his relation."

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