Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 9 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does Mrs. Bennet not want Jane to recover quickly from her illness?

   • She fears the journey home will worsen Jane's condition
   • She wants to keep visiting Netherfield herself for the social opportunity
   • She is genuinely worried and wants Jane to rest as long as possible
   • Correct answer: She wants Jane to remain at Netherfield to stay close to Mr. Bingley

   Austen writes that Mrs. Bennet "had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield." Her strategy depends on Jane's continued proximity to Bingley.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Who accompanies Mrs. Bennet to visit Jane at Netherfield?

   • Correct answer: Kitty and Lydia, her two youngest girls
   • Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, her closest companions
   • Mr. Bennet and the family housekeeper, Mrs. Hill
   • Mary and Kitty, the two middle Bennet daughters

   "Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast."

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3. 3

   Question 3. How does Miss Bingley respond to the news that Jane must stay longer at Netherfield?

   • With enthusiastic delight at having Jane as a longer-term guest
   • With genuine warmth and an offer to nurse Jane herself
   • Correct answer: With "cold civility," promising every possible attention
   • With open irritation and a suggestion to send for a London doctor

   Miss Bingley speaks "with cold civility," saying that "Miss Bennet will receive every possible attention while she remains with us." The coldness reveals her insincerity.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does Mrs. Bennet compliment about Netherfield to discourage Bingley from leaving?

   • The excellent stables and grounds for riding and hunting
   • Correct answer: The sweet room, charming prospect over the gravel walk, and its superiority to any country place
   • The well-stocked library and fine collection of paintings
   • The convenient distance from London and proximity to the church

   Mrs. Bennet praises "a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming prospect over the gravel walk" and says she does "not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield."

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5. 5

   Question 5. What does Mr. Bingley say about his decision-making style?

   • That he follows the example of his late father in all business dealings
   • That he deliberates carefully and never acts without consulting his friends
   • Correct answer: That "whatever I do is done in a hurry" and he could leave in five minutes
   • That he relies entirely on his sisters' advice for every important matter

   Bingley replies: "Whatever I do is done in a hurry; and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes."

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does Darcy say about society in the countryside?

   • Correct answer: That the country supplies "a very confined and unvarying society"
   • That he prefers the countryside because it allows more solitude
   • That country neighbourhoods offer the finest characters for study
   • That country people are more sincere and virtuous than Londoners

   Darcy says: "The country can in general supply but a few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society."

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7. 7

   Question 7. How does Elizabeth react when Mrs. Bennet argues with Darcy about country versus town life?

   • She takes her mother's side and tells Mr. Darcy that he has insulted all their neighbours
   • Correct answer: She blushes for her mother and tries to correct the misunderstanding of Darcy's words
   • She leaves the room in embarrassment and goes to sit with Jane
   • She asks Mr. Bingley to settle the matter by saying whether he prefers town or country

   Elizabeth blushes "for her mother" and says: "You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there was not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in the town."

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does Mrs. Bennet boast about the Bennet family's social life?

   • That Mr. Bennet is the most respected gentleman in Hertfordshire
   • That her daughters have each received multiple proposals of marriage
   • That they are invited to every ball in the county throughout the season
   • Correct answer: That they dine with four-and-twenty families in the neighbourhood

   Mrs. Bennet declares: "I know we dine with four-and-twenty families." Ironically, this boast confirms rather than refutes Darcy's point about a limited social circle.

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9. 9

   Question 9. How does Mrs. Bennet disparage Charlotte Lucas during the visit?

   • She criticizes Charlotte's lack of musical accomplishments and her poor dancing at the Meryton ball
   • Correct answer: She says Charlotte is "very plain" and claims even Lady Lucas agrees and envies Jane's beauty
   • She suggests Charlotte, at twenty-seven, is far too old to attract a suitable husband
   • She mocks the Lucas family's inferior estate and Sir William's past in trade

   Mrs. Bennet says: "you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty." She adds this while calling Charlotte their "particular friend."

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10. 10

    Question 10. What does Darcy say about poetry and love?

    • Correct answer: That he has "been used to consider poetry as the food of love"
    • That only women care for poetry while men prefer practical pursuits
    • That Shakespeare's sonnets are the finest expression of romantic devotion
    • That poetry is a waste of time for any sensible person in love

    Darcy says: "I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," to which Elizabeth wittily argues that poetry can also starve away a weak inclination.

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11. 11

    Question 11. How does Elizabeth counter Darcy's view that poetry is "the food of love"?

    • She argues that novels are more effective than poetry at inspiring love
    • She dismisses poetry altogether as an outdated art form with no modern relevance
    • She agrees entirely and says she reads poetry for that very reason
    • Correct answer: She says poetry nourishes strong love but "one good sonnet will starve" a slight inclination away

    Elizabeth replies: "Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

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12. 12

    Question 12. How is Lydia Bennet physically described in Chapter 9?

    • As plain-looking but graceful, with a talent for music and conversation
    • As slim and graceful, with an elegant, refined manner and a soft, quiet voice
    • Correct answer: As stout and well-grown, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance
    • As small and delicate, with pale features and a nervous, timid disposition

    Lydia is described as "a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance," with "high animal spirits" and natural self-confidence.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What does Lydia boldly ask Mr. Bingley at the end of the visit?

    • Whether he has any unmarried friends he could introduce to the Bennet sisters
    • Whether the officers from Meryton may be invited to dine at Netherfield
    • Whether he intends to marry Jane and take care of the Bennet family
    • Correct answer: Whether he will keep his promise to give a ball at Netherfield

    Lydia taxes Mr. Bingley with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield, and abruptly reminded him that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it.

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14. 14

    Question 14. When does Bingley agree to hold the Netherfield ball?

    • He politely declines, saying Netherfield is not suitable for a ball
    • Immediately, setting a date for the following Saturday evening
    • Correct answer: After Jane recovers, allowing Lydia to name the very day
    • At the end of the month, once his London guests have arrived

    Bingley says: "when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill."

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15. 15

    Question 15. What happens after Mrs. Bennet and her daughters depart Netherfield?

    • Darcy writes a letter to his sister praising Elizabeth's wit and charm
    • Correct answer: Miss Bingley makes witticisms about Elizabeth's "fine eyes," but Darcy refuses to censure Elizabeth
    • Bingley announces he intends to propose to Jane as soon as she is well
    • The Bingley sisters and Darcy agree that the Bennets are too vulgar for further association

    Elizabeth leaves "her own and her relations' behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy," but Darcy "could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of her, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes."

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