Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 55 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does Bingley visit Longbourn alone at the start of Chapter 55?

   • Bingley wants to surprise Jane
   • He has quarreled with Darcy
   • Correct answer: Darcy has left for London
   • Darcy is visiting Lady Catherine

   Bingley's friend (Darcy) departed that morning for London but was expected to return in ten days.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What strategy does Mrs. Bennet use to try to leave Jane and Bingley alone in the evening?

   • Correct answer: She winks at Elizabeth and Kitty to leave the room
   • She invites neighbors over as a distraction
   • She pretends to be ill and asks the sisters to attend to her
   • She sends everyone to bed early

   Mrs. Bennet sits winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, then takes Kitty upstairs and calls Elizabeth out into the hall.

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3. 3

   Question 3. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • Did Mrs. Bennet's schemes succeed in getting Bingley to propose on the first day he visited?

     Didn't happen

     The text states that "Mrs. Bennet's schemes for this day were ineffectual." Bingley was charming but did not propose on the first day.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What is Elizabeth doing when Bingley proposes to Jane?

   • Reading in her father's library
   • Correct answer: Writing a letter in the breakfast room
   • Waiting in the hall outside the door
   • Playing cards with Kitty and Mary

   Elizabeth went into the breakfast room to write a letter after tea, and upon returning found Jane and Bingley by the hearth.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • Did Bingley tell Jane that Darcy had persuaded him to stay away from her?

     Didn't happen

     Elizabeth is pleased to find that Bingley "had not betrayed the interference of his friend," keeping Darcy's role secret from Jane.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Who does Jane blame for concealing her London visit from Bingley?

   • Mrs. Gardiner
   • Miss Georgiana Darcy
   • Mr. Darcy
   • Correct answer: Caroline Bingley

   Jane says, "It must have been his sister's doing," blaming Caroline for keeping the information from Bingley.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does "alacrity" mean in the sentence: "her invitation was accepted with alacrity"?

   • Quiet and patient resignation
   • Reluctance and hesitation
   • Correct answer: Brisk and cheerful readiness
   • Sharpness or bitterness of manner

   Alacrity means eager willingness or cheerful readiness. Bingley eagerly accepts Mrs. Bennet's dinner invitation.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does Mr. Bennet tease Jane and Bingley about?

   • Their unequal fortunes and incomes
   • Correct answer: Their similar compliant temperaments
   • Bingley's lack of intelligence
   • The speed of their courtship

   Mr. Bennet says they are "so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income."

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9. 9

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

   • Did Jane immediately replace Lydia as Mrs. Bennet's favourite child after the engagement?

     Happened

     Austen writes that "Jane was beyond competition her favourite child. At that moment, she cared for no other. Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten."

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does "panegyric" mean in: "This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his diffidence"?

    • A remedy for every ill or trouble
    • A harsh and bitter criticism
    • A whispered, private confession
    • Correct answer: An elaborate speech of praise

    A panegyric is an elaborate public tribute or speech of praise. Jane praises Bingley's modesty and humility.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does Elizabeth joke about when Jane wishes her similar happiness?

    • Correct answer: That she might meet another Mr. Collins
    • That she will live with Jane at Netherfield
    • That Mr. Darcy will surely propose again
    • That she might marry Colonel Fitzwilliam

    Elizabeth quips, "perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins in time," an ironic joke since her engagement to Darcy is approaching.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What do the Bennet sisters request after learning about the engagement to Bingley?

    • Mary wants music lessons and Kitty wants to visit London
    • Mary wants a governess position and Kitty wants a season in Bath
    • Mary wants a piano and Kitty wants new dresses
    • Correct answer: Mary wants the Netherfield library and Kitty wants winter balls

    Mary petitions for use of the library at Netherfield, and Kitty begs for balls there every winter.

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13. 13

    Question 13. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

    • Did Elizabeth try to reason with Mrs. Bennet about her obvious matchmaking?

      Didn't happen

      "Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother, but remained quietly in the hall" until Mrs. Bennet and Kitty were out of sight.

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14. 14

    Question 14. What does "circumspection" mean in Elizabeth's remark: "the end of all his friend's anxious circumspection"?

    • Careless and reckless disregard of danger
    • Correct answer: Careful consideration of all circumstances
    • A journey or voyage around the whole world
    • Generous assistance offered to a friend

    Circumspection means wariness and careful consideration. Elizabeth refers to Darcy's cautious efforts to control the situation between Bingley and Jane.

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15. 15

    Question 15. How does the chapter end in terms of the Bennets' reputation?

    • Correct answer: They are pronounced the luckiest family in the world
    • They are envied by Lady Catherine de Bourgh
    • They are coldly shunned by Bingley's two sisters
    • They remain social outcasts due to Lydia's scandal

    The Bennets go from being "marked out for misfortune" after Lydia's elopement to being called "the luckiest family in the world" after the engagement.

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