Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 48 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does Mr. Gardiner leave Longbourn at the beginning of Chapter 48?

   • To accompany Mrs. Gardiner and the children back to London
   • Correct answer: To join Mr. Bennet in London and help search for Lydia
   • To interview Colonel Forster's fellow officers at Brighton
   • To search the Barnet road for information about the couple

   Mr. Gardiner departs to join Mr. Bennet in London, promising to help search for Lydia and Wickham and to persuade Mr. Bennet to eventually return home.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What does Mr. Collins declare in his letter to Mr. Bennet?

   • Correct answer: He says Lydia's death would have been a blessing compared to the scandal
   • He says Lady Catherine has offered to help find Lydia in London
   • He advises Mr. Bennet to forgive Lydia and welcome her home directly
   • He says the fault lies with Wickham and not with Lydia's education

   Mr. Collins writes that "the death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this," displaying remarkable insensitivity while pretending to offer consolation.

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3. 3

   Question 3. How much does Colonel Forster estimate would be needed to clear Wickham's debts in Brighton?

   • Nearly ten thousand pounds
   • Several hundred pounds
   • Correct answer: More than a thousand pounds
   • Rather more than fifty pounds

   Colonel Forster reports that more than a thousand pounds would be necessary to clear Wickham's expenses at Brighton, with additional debts in town.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does Mr. Bennet admit to Elizabeth when he returns home?

   • That he means to go back to London at once to continue the search
   • That Elizabeth's advice to him last May was mistaken, as events have shown
   • That the whole affair is Wickham's fault and not the family's
   • Correct answer: That he is to blame for Lydia's ruin, since it has been his own doing

   Mr. Bennet tells Elizabeth, "Who should suffer but myself? It has been my own doing, and I ought to feel it," accepting responsibility for his negligent parenting.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What private thought does Elizabeth have about Darcy in Chapter 48?

   • She resolves to write to Darcy at Pemberley and explain everything to him
   • She is relieved that Darcy is in Derbyshire and knows nothing of the affair
   • She believes Darcy will come to Longbourn and rescue the family's reputation
   • Correct answer: She acknowledges she could have borne the crisis better had she not known Darcy

   Elizabeth privately reflects that "had she known nothing of Darcy, she could have borne the dread of Lydia's infamy somewhat better," revealing her deep feelings for him.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What new restrictions does Mr. Bennet impose on Kitty?

   • Correct answer: No officers in the house, no balls unless she dances with a sister, and ten minutes of rational activity daily
   • No travelling to Brighton until she is twenty, no dancing at all, and daily instruction in music with Mary
   • No letters to Lydia, no walks into Meryton, and an hour of reading every morning with her sister Mary
   • No visits to Aunt Phillips, no new gowns from the warehouses, and a month confined to her own apartment

   Mr. Bennet bans officers from the house, prohibits balls unless Kitty dances with a sister, and requires her to spend ten minutes daily in rational activity.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What observation does Mrs. Gardiner make about Elizabeth before leaving Longbourn?

   • That Elizabeth's low spirits come entirely from anxiety about Lydia and her father
   • That Elizabeth has been secretly corresponding with Darcy since their return
   • Correct answer: That Elizabeth has not mentioned Darcy and no letter has come from Pemberley
   • That Elizabeth speaks of Darcy constantly and longs to return to Derbyshire

   Mrs. Gardiner notices that Elizabeth has not voluntarily mentioned Darcy and that no letter has arrived from Pemberley, leaving her curious about their relationship.

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8. 8

   Question 8. Which of the following events actually happen in Chapter 48?

   • Mr. Gardiner writes that Mr. Bennet searched Epsom and Clapham.

     Happened

   • Wickham sends a letter to the Bennet family.

     Didn't happen

   • Mr. Collins congratulates himself on not marrying Elizabeth.

     Happened

   • Jane faints upon hearing about Wickham's gambling debts.

     Didn't happen

   • All of Meryton turns against Wickham.

     Happened

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of the following statements about Chapter 48 are true?

   • Mrs. Gardiner remains at Longbourn to comfort her nieces.

     Happened

   • Mr. Bennet challenges Wickham to a duel.

     Didn't happen

   • Mr. Bennet admits to Elizabeth that the situation is his own doing.

     Happened

   • Kitty cries when Mr. Bennet threatens to restrict her freedoms.

     Happened

   • Elizabeth writes to Darcy about the family crisis.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does "dilatory" mean as used in "a most negligent and dilatory correspondent"?

    • Quick to act; prompt and dependable
    • Correct answer: Slow to act; tending to cause delay
    • Tending to widen; expanding in size
    • Careless; inattentive to one's duties

    Dilatory means slow to act or prone to delay. Mr. Bennet is described as both negligent and dilatory in writing letters.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does "sanguine" mean in the sentence "she was not very sanguine in expecting it"?

    • Correct answer: Optimistic or hopeful
    • Suspicious or doubtful
    • Fearful or anxious
    • Indifferent or unconcerned

    Sanguine means optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation. Elizabeth is not very hopeful that inquiries will yield useful information.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does "entreaty" mean in "he had yielded to his brother-in-law's entreaty"?

    • An entrance or a doorway
    • A treaty or binding agreement
    • Correct answer: An earnest or humble request
    • A firm command or order

    An entreaty is an earnest, urgent plea. Mr. Gardiner earnestly requested that Mr. Bennet return home and leave the search to him.

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