Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 49 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. How does the Bennet family first learn that an express letter has arrived?

   • Mrs. Bennet immediately summons them upstairs to her apartment
   • Mr. Bennet reads the letter aloud to the family at dinner
   • The butler interrupts them in the library and informs them
   • Correct answer: The housekeeper Mrs. Hill tells Jane and Elizabeth

   Mrs. Hill approaches Jane and Elizabeth in the shrubbery, hoping they had already heard the good news from town.

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2. 2

   Question 2. According to Mr. Gardiner's letter, what is the status of Lydia and Wickham when he finds them?

   • Wickham has abandoned Lydia in a London lodging
   • They are already married and settled in London
   • Correct answer: They are not married and had no intention of marrying
   • They are engaged and intend to continue to Scotland

   The letter states: 'They are not married, nor can I find there was any intention of being so.'

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3. 3

   Question 3. What annual allowance must Mr. Bennet provide to Lydia during his lifetime as part of the marriage terms?

   • Correct answer: One hundred pounds
   • Two hundred pounds
   • Five hundred pounds
   • Fifty pounds

   Mr. Gardiner's terms require Mr. Bennet 'to enter into an engagement of allowing her, during your life, one hundred pounds per annum.'

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4. 4

   Question 4. How much does Mr. Bennet estimate Wickham truly required to agree to the marriage?

   • Five thousand pounds
   • Correct answer: Ten thousand pounds
   • Twenty thousand pounds
   • One thousand pounds

   Mr. Bennet says: 'Wickham's a fool if he takes her with a farthing less than ten thousand pounds.'

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5. 5

   Question 5. Where does Mr. Gardiner's letter say Lydia will be married?

   • At a London church chosen by Wickham
   • At Longbourn church
   • At Mr. Darcy's estate
   • Correct answer: From the Gardiners' house

   The letter states: 'We have judged it best that my niece should be married from this house.'

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6. 6

   Question 6. What is Mrs. Bennet's primary concern upon hearing the news of Lydia's forthcoming marriage?

   • Gratitude to Mr. Gardiner for his generosity
   • Lydia's reformation and her future conduct
   • Correct answer: Wedding clothes and sharing the news socially
   • Wickham's debts to the tradesmen of Meryton

   Mrs. Bennet immediately discusses fabric orders for wedding clothes and plans visits to Mrs. Philips, Lady Lucas, and Mrs. Long to spread the news.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does Elizabeth believe about Mr. Gardiner's role in securing the marriage?

   • Correct answer: He must have contributed his own money to pay Wickham
   • He must have discovered Wickham's debts were exaggerated
   • He must have threatened Wickham with legal proceedings
   • He must have simply delivered Wickham's conditions

   Elizabeth says: 'Oh! it must be my uncle's doings! Generous, good man, I am afraid he has distressed himself. A small sum could not do all this.'

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8. 8

   Question 8. How does Jane interpret Wickham's agreement to marry Lydia?

   • As proof he is a fortune hunter
   • Correct answer: As evidence he has real regard for Lydia
   • As a sign of Mr. Gardiner's coercion
   • As confirmation of Wickham's desperation

   Jane says: 'he certainly would not marry Lydia if he had not a real regard for her' and believes 'their mutual affection will steady them.'

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9. 9

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

   • True or False: Mr. Bennet immediately writes a reply to Mr. Gardiner's letter upon reading it.

     Didn't happen

     When Elizabeth asks if he has answered the letter, Mr. Bennet says 'No; but it must be done soon.' Elizabeth has to urge him to write immediately.

   • True or False: Mrs. Bennet expresses gratitude toward Mr. Gardiner for his financial sacrifice.

     Didn't happen

     Mrs. Bennet shows no gratitude, instead saying 'who should do it but her own uncle?' and treating his generosity as her natural entitlement.

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10. 10

    Question 10. In Chapter 49, what does the word 'transports' mean in the phrase 'the violence of these transports'?

    • Peaceful, quiet reflections
    • Sudden physical movements
    • Vehicles for carrying passengers
    • Correct answer: Strong overwhelming emotions

    In this context, 'transports' refers to Mrs. Bennet's ecstatic emotional outbursts upon hearing of Lydia's forthcoming marriage.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'countenance' mean when Elizabeth says the Gardiners afforded Lydia 'their personal protection and countenance'?

    • Disapproval and open refusal
    • Correct answer: Moral support and approval
    • Calm self-control; composure
    • Facial expression or look

    Here 'countenance' means lending moral backing and respectability to Lydia by taking her into their home and associating with her publicly.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What is a 'farthing' as used in Mr. Bennet's remark about Wickham?

    • A written agreement settling a marriage
    • A valuable gold coin worth about a pound
    • Correct answer: A former British coin of very small value
    • A distance of about one eighth of a mile

    A farthing was worth one quarter of a penny. Mr. Bennet uses it figuratively to emphasize that Wickham would not accept even the smallest amount less than ten thousand pounds.

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