The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 86. The Trial. quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does Albert visit Beauchamp at the start of Chapter 86?

   • To challenge him to a duel over the newspaper article
   • Correct answer: To learn the full details of the scandal targeting his father
   • To ask him to suppress the article in the Impartial
   • To deliver a letter from the Count of Morcerf

   Albert arrives at eight o'clock to hear from Beauchamp all the particulars of the 'shameful plot' against his father — he needs the full story from a loyal friend before the evening's hearing.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What physical evidence did Morcerf present to support his claim that Ali Pasha trusted him?

   • A letter from the Sultan of Constantinople and a military medal
   • Correct answer: Ali Pasha's letters and the vizier's seal-ring
   • A signed treaty and a map of the castle of Yanina
   • Testimony from a French diplomat and a government report

   Morcerf produced letters from Ali Pasha and the vizier's seal-ring, which Ali had given him as a mark of authority and trust, allowing access to the pasha's presence at any hour.

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3. 3

   Question 3. How old was Haidee when the events at Yanina occurred?

   • Two years old
   • Correct answer: Four years old
   • Seven years old
   • Eleven years old

   Haidee tells the committee, 'I was four years old; but as those events deeply concerned me, not a single detail has escaped my memory.'

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4. 4

   Question 4. For how much money did Fernand Mondego sell Haidee and her mother?

   • One hundred thousand francs
   • Two hundred thousand francs
   • Correct answer: Four hundred thousand francs
   • Eight hundred thousand francs

   The bill of sale read aloud to the committee states that Haidee and her mother were sold 'for the sum of four hundred thousand francs' by the French colonel Fernand Mondego.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What was the verdict of the committee of twelve peers?

   • Not guilty — insufficient evidence
   • A postponement pending further investigation in Yanina
   • Correct answer: Guilty of felony, treason, and conduct unbecoming a member of the House
   • Censure only, without expulsion from the House

   The president asked, 'Is the Count of Morcerf convicted of felony, treason, and conduct unbecoming a member of this House?' and 'Yes' was the unanimous reply.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does Haidee say was her only fear regarding Monte Cristo's reaction to her testimony?

   • That he would be endangered by the exposure of Morcerf
   • Correct answer: That he would disapprove of what she had done
   • That he would be implicated in the original crime
   • That he would demand she leave France immediately

   Haidee tells the president, 'I have but one fear, which is that he should disapprove of what I have done,' since Monte Cristo was in Normandy and unaware of her decision.

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7. 7

   Question 7. How did Morcerf respond when the president asked if he had anything to say after Haidee's testimony?

   • He demanded the committee send investigators to Yanina
   • He accused Monte Cristo of orchestrating a conspiracy
   • He denied knowing Haidee and called her account a fabrication
   • Correct answer: He said only, 'I have no reply to make'

   After Haidee's devastating accusation, Morcerf sat in silent despair. When the president pressed him, he replied only, 'I have no reply to make,' in a low tone.

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8. 8

   Question 8. By what physical feature did Haidee say she could identify Morcerf even if she forgot his face?

   • A scar on his left cheek
   • Correct answer: A large wound on his right hand
   • A distinctive military insignia on his uniform
   • The color of his eyes

   Haidee quotes her mother: 'Look well at his right hand, on which he has a large wound; if you forgot his features, you would know him by that hand, into which fell, one by one, the gold pieces of the merchant El-Kobbir!'

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of the following events actually happened in Chapter 86?

   • Beauchamp watched the evening hearing from a concealed gallery position arranged through a young peer of his acquaintance.

     Happened

   • Monte Cristo appeared before the committee to vouch for Haidee's identity and testimony.

     Didn't happen

   • Haidee identified Morcerf by the wound on his right hand as well as by his face.

     Happened

   • The committee voted to send investigators to Yanina before reaching a verdict.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these events from the chapter are accurate?

    • Morcerf arrived at the House of Peers knowing the article had been published and braced for the attack.

      Didn't happen

    • Haidee presented a record of her sale bearing El-Kobbir's signature and the imperial seal of the Sultan.

      Happened

    • The committee was made up entirely of Morcerf's political enemies who shunned him on his arrival.

      Didn't happen

    • After the verdict, Morcerf tore open his coat and fled the chamber like a madman.

      Happened

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11. 11

    Question 11. In Chapter 86, a 'calumnious report' is described as one that needed to be disposed of. What does 'calumnious' mean?

    • Highly confidential and sealed by court order
    • Correct answer: Containing false and damaging statements intended to injure reputation
    • Arising from an anonymous source with unknown motives
    • Based on mistaken facts gathered in good faith

    Calumnious means making or containing false statements intended to damage someone's reputation — slander or libel. The investigating peer called for the inquiry to dispose of the calumnious report and restore Morcerf's standing, before Haidee's testimony proved it was largely true.

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12. 12

    Question 12. Dumas describes Haidee's voice as 'sonorous.' What does 'sonorous' mean?

    • Barely audible, barely above a whisper
    • High-pitched and trembling with emotion
    • Correct answer: Deep, full, and resonant in sound
    • Hoarse from weeping and grief

    Sonorous means producing a deep, full, rich sound — resonant and impressive. Dumas uses it to describe the tone 'peculiar to the East' with which Haidee spoke, lending her voice an authority that matched her composure.

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13. 13

    Question 13. The text says Morcerf's timidity 'conciliated some in his favor.' What does 'conciliate' mean here?

    • Alarmed or put on guard
    • Correct answer: Won over or made more sympathetic
    • Confused or misled
    • Officially pardoned or exonerated

    To conciliate means to overcome the distrust or hostility of someone, winning them over. Morcerf's apparent bewilderment — which could signal innocence — briefly softened some members of the assembly before Haidee's testimony settled the matter.

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