Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 8 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Who shows the most genuine concern for Jane's health at dinner?

   • Miss Bingley, who repeatedly asks about her condition
   • Correct answer: Mr. Bingley, whose anxiety for Jane is evident throughout
   • Mr. Hurst, who suggests calling a physician immediately
   • Mrs. Hurst, who offers to sit with Jane through the night

   Mr. Bingley's anxiety for Jane is described as "evident," and his attentions to Elizabeth are "most pleasing." The Bingley sisters express superficial concern but quickly forget about Jane.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Why does Mr. Hurst have "nothing to say" to Elizabeth at dinner?

   • He is offended by her muddy petticoat and refuses to speak to her
   • He is deaf in one ear and cannot hear her from where she sits
   • He is too engaged in conversation with Miss Bingley to take notice of her
   • Correct answer: He discovers she prefers a plain dish to a ragout and loses interest

   Mr. Hurst is described as "an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards." When he discovers Elizabeth prefers plain food to a ragout, he has nothing to say to her.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What specific aspect of Elizabeth's appearance do the Bingley sisters mock most?

   • Her sunburned complexion from too much time spent walking outdoors
   • Her unfashionable gown, cut in an outdated country style
   • Correct answer: Her muddy petticoat, "six inches deep in mud," and untidy hair
   • Her lack of jewelry and simple country accessories

   Mrs. Hurst specifically mentions Elizabeth's petticoat being "six inches deep in mud," while Miss Bingley calls her hair "so untidy, so blowsy." They say she looked "almost wild."

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does Darcy say about Elizabeth's "fine eyes" after her muddy walk?

   • Correct answer: That they were "brightened by the exercise" and undiminished
   • That he had not noticed them because of her disheveled state
   • That Miss Bingley should not concern herself with such matters
   • That they looked tired and strained from the long journey

   When Miss Bingley suggests the walk must have diminished his admiration of Elizabeth's eyes, Darcy replies: "Not at all; they were brightened by the exercise."

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5. 5

   Question 5. What do the Bingley sisters find most objectionable about the Bennet family's social standing?

   • Their father's modest estate of two thousand a year and his lack of any house in London
   • Correct answer: Their low connections, including an uncle who is an attorney and another near Cheapside
   • Their mother's family being in trade in a northern industrial city
   • Their lack of titled relatives or connections to the peerage

   The sisters specifically mention the Bennets' uncle who is "an attorney on Meryton" and another "who lives somewhere near Cheapside," laughing heartily at these low connections.

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6. 6

   Question 6. How does Bingley respond when his sisters mock the Bennets' relatives near Cheapside?

   • Correct answer: He says that even uncles enough to fill all Cheapside would not make them less agreeable
   • He changes the subject to avoid further conflict with his sisters
   • He admits the connections are a concern but insists Jane's virtues compensate
   • He agrees that such connections are unfortunate but unavoidable

   Bingley defends the Bennets warmly: "If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside, it would not make them one jot less agreeable."

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7. 7

   Question 7. Why does Elizabeth decline to join the card game in the drawing room?

   • Miss Bingley tells her there is no room at the card table
   • She does not know how to play loo and is embarrassed to admit it
   • Correct answer: She suspects them of playing high and prefers to read a book
   • She wants to return to Jane's bedside as quickly as possible

   Elizabeth suspects the party of "playing high" (gambling for large stakes) and declines, choosing a book instead for "the short time she could stay below."

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does Miss Bingley praise about Pemberley during the drawing room conversation?

   • Its grand ballroom and capacity for entertaining large parties
   • Its proximity to London and convenience for the social season
   • Its beautiful gardens and extensive grounds for walking
   • Correct answer: Its delightful library and how Darcy is always adding to it

   Miss Bingley exclaims, "What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!" and adds, "And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books."

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9. 9

   Question 9. According to Darcy, how many truly accomplished women does he know?

   • None at all, which is why he remains unmarried
   • Correct answer: Not more than half a dozen in his whole acquaintance
   • At least a dozen among the finest families of England
   • Only two: his sister Georgiana and Miss Bingley

   Darcy says, "I cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished."

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does Darcy add to Miss Bingley's list of requirements for an accomplished woman?

    • Correct answer: The improvement of her mind by extensive reading
    • A generous spirit and willingness to help those less fortunate
    • A thorough understanding of politics and current affairs
    • A talent for managing a large household and its servants

    After Miss Bingley lists music, singing, drawing, dancing, and modern languages, Darcy adds: "she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."

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11. 11

    Question 11. How does Elizabeth respond to the debate about accomplished women?

    • She argues that accomplishments matter far less than good sense and a generous character
    • She modestly claims to possess all the listed accomplishments herself
    • She agrees that very few women meet such high standards and admits she is not one of them
    • Correct answer: She says she is no longer surprised he knows only six but wonders he knows any at all

    Elizabeth's witty response: "I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any."

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12. 12

    Question 12. What "paltry device" does Miss Bingley accuse Elizabeth of using?

    • Dressing plainly to appear modest and attract sympathy
    • Exaggerating her sister's illness to remain longer at Netherfield
    • Correct answer: Undervaluing her own sex to recommend herself to men
    • Pretending to prefer books to impress Mr. Darcy with her intellect

    Miss Bingley says Elizabeth "is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."

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13. 13

    Question 13. How does Darcy respond to Miss Bingley's accusation against Elizabeth?

    • He ignores the comment entirely and changes the subject to Georgiana
    • He fully agrees and says Elizabeth is clearly trying to manipulate him
    • Correct answer: He gives a general reply about the meanness of all arts of captivation, without targeting Elizabeth specifically
    • He defends Elizabeth directly and tells Miss Bingley she is being unfair

    Darcy replies generally: "there is a meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable." Miss Bingley is "not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to continue the subject."

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14. 14

    Question 14. What happens with Jane's health at the end of Chapter 8?

    • An express is sent to town, and an eminent London physician arrives that night
    • She develops a fever and Mr. Darcy offers to ride for a physician
    • She recovers enough to come downstairs and join the party at cards for a short time
    • Correct answer: She grows worse, and Mr. Jones is to be sent for in the morning if she is not better

    Elizabeth reports that Jane is worse. Bingley urges sending for Mr. Jones immediately, and "it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better."

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15. 15

    Question 15. What contrast does the chapter draw between Bingley and his sisters regarding their concern for Jane?

    • Both Bingley and his sisters are equally worried but express it differently
    • Correct answer: Bingley is genuinely distressed while his sisters declare misery but console themselves with duets
    • His sisters are more concerned and stay at Jane's bedside while Bingley retires early
    • Bingley is calm and rational while his sisters panic and weep uncontrollably

    Bingley is "quite uncomfortable" and gives his housekeeper directions for every attention to the sick lady. His sisters "declared that they were miserable" but "solaced their wretchedness by duets after supper."

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