Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 61 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. How long do Jane and Bingley remain at Netherfield before moving?

   • Six months
   • Correct answer: A twelvemonth
   • Eighteen months
   • Three years

   Austen states they stayed "only a twelvemonth" before Bingley bought an estate in a neighboring county to Derbyshire.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Why does Bingley move away from Netherfield?

   • Darcy insists that they settle nearer to Pemberley
   • Jane prefers the excitement and society of London near the Gardiners
   • Netherfield's rent has become too expensive for Bingley's income
   • Correct answer: The proximity to Mrs. Bennet and Meryton relations is undesirable

   Austen notes that "so near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to his easy temper, or her affectionate heart."

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3. 3

   Question 3. What position does Lydia hope Wickham might receive through Darcy's influence?

   • A partnership in trade with Mr. Gardiner
   • A higher commission in the regular army
   • Correct answer: A place at court worth three or four hundred a year
   • The Kympton living promised by Darcy's father

   In her letter, Lydia writes: "I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much... Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year."

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4. 4

   Question 4. What lesson does Georgiana learn from Elizabeth?

   • Correct answer: That a woman may take liberties with her husband that a younger sister may not with a brother
   • How to perform at the pianoforte with greater confidence
   • That social rank and fortune should determine a lady's friendships
   • How to supervise the servants and housekeeping at Pemberley

   By Elizabeth's instructions, Georgiana "began to comprehend that a woman may take liberties with her husband which a brother will not always allow in a sister more than ten years younger than himself."

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5. 5

   Question 5. What ultimately causes Lady Catherine to reconcile with Darcy?

   • Elizabeth writes her a humble letter of apology for the engagement
   • Mr. Bennet writes to Rosings and pleads on their behalf
   • Correct answer: Either her affection for Darcy or her curiosity about Elizabeth
   • Mr. Collins persuades her to forgive her nephew

   Austen wryly notes Lady Catherine's "resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself."

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6. 6

   Question 6. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • Mrs. Bennet becomes a sensible, well-informed woman after her daughters' marriages.

     Didn't happen

     Austen specifically states that Mrs. Bennet did NOT improve—she "still was occasionally nervous and invariably silly."

   • Mr. Bennet frequently visits Pemberley because he misses Elizabeth.

     Happened

     The text states: "Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly; his affection for her drew him oftener from home than any thing else could do."

   • Kitty is allowed to visit Lydia and Wickham frequently.

     Didn't happen

     Despite Lydia's frequent invitations with "the promise of balls and young men," Mr. Bennet "would never consent to her going."

   • Miss Bingley drops her resentment toward Elizabeth in order to keep visiting Pemberley.

     Happened

     Austen states Miss Bingley "thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley" and therefore "dropt all her resentment."

   • Darcy welcomes Wickham to Pemberley after the marriages.

     Didn't happen

     The text states: "Though Darcy could never receive him at Pemberley," though he does assist Wickham in his profession for Elizabeth's sake.

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7. 7

   Question 7. In the sentence "she condescended to wait on them at Pemberley," what does "condescended" mean?

   • Eagerly accepted an invitation from relations
   • Correct answer: Lowered herself graciously to do something beneath her dignity
   • Proudly declined to visit inferior company
   • Descended physically from an elevated position, as from a carriage

   Lady Catherine viewed visiting Pemberley under Elizabeth's management as beneath her, so her visit was an act of condescension—lowering herself to what she considered an inferior situation.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does "insipid" mean in the phrase "less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid"?

   • Correct answer: Dull and lacking distinctive qualities
   • Fearless, bold, and adventurous
   • Just beginning to develop or appear
   • Lively, spirited, and full of interest

   "Insipid" means lacking vigor or interest. Austen uses it to describe Kitty's former dullness, which improves through association with her elder sisters.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Who does the novel credit with being "the means of uniting" Elizabeth and Darcy?

   • Jane and Bingley
   • Mr. Bennet
   • Lady Catherine de Bourgh
   • Correct answer: Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner

   The final lines honor the Gardiners as "the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them."

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