Chapter 18 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 18

Why is Wickham absent from the Netherfield ball?

He was not included in the Bingleys' invitation to the officers because of Darcy's objection
His friend Denny explains that he was obliged to go to town on business, hinting he wished to avoid Darcy
He sends word through a letter that he has taken ill and cannot attend the evening's festivities
He arrives late and leaves before Elizabeth can find him among the other officers in attendance

What makes Elizabeth's first two dances at the ball so mortifying?

She dances with an officer who speaks only of Wickham's troubles and makes her visibly upset
No gentleman asks her to dance, and she must sit out while her sisters take the floor
Mr. Collins is her partner, and he is awkward, solemn, and frequently moves wrong without realizing it
Mr. Darcy watches her critically from across the room, making her self-conscious about every step

How does Elizabeth come to accept Darcy's invitation to dance?

Charlotte Lucas arranges the introduction and persuades Elizabeth it would be rude to decline
Elizabeth asks Darcy to dance first as a deliberate strategy to question him about Wickham's story
Darcy takes her so much by surprise that she accepts without knowing what she is doing
Mrs. Bennet instructs Elizabeth to accept, hoping to make Darcy jealous of Wickham's attention

What does Elizabeth say she and Darcy have in common during their dance?

A love of books and reading that sets them apart from others at the ball
An unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak unless they can say something that will amaze the room
A shared tendency to judge people too quickly and then regret their first impressions later
A deep concern for propriety and social decorum that makes them uncomfortable at public gatherings

How does Darcy respond when Elizabeth alludes to meeting Wickham in Meryton?

He immediately denies any wrongdoing and explains the full history of their quarrel in detail
A deeper shade of hauteur overspreads his features and he says Wickham is good at making friends but less capable of retaining them
He calmly changes the subject to books, refusing to acknowledge Wickham's existence at all
He becomes angry and accuses Elizabeth of believing lies spread by a man of low character

What does Sir William Lucas hint at during the ball that visibly affects Darcy?

That Elizabeth and Darcy make a handsome couple and should consider a courtship together
That Wickham has spread unfavorable rumors about Darcy throughout the neighborhood of Meryton
That a "certain desirable event" between Jane and Bingley will bring congratulations flowing in
That Lady Catherine de Bourgh would disapprove of Darcy's attendance at such a provincial assembly

What does the narrator reveal about Darcy's feelings after he and Elizabeth part ways on the dance floor?

That Darcy feels humiliated and resolves never to speak to Elizabeth again at any future gathering
That Darcy harbors a "tolerable powerful feeling" toward Elizabeth that soon procures her pardon
That Darcy is completely indifferent and turns his attention immediately to Miss Bingley instead
That Darcy admires Elizabeth's wit but considers her family connections an insurmountable obstacle

What does Miss Bingley claim about Wickham's relationship with Darcy?

That Wickham was dismissed from Darcy's service for stealing money from the Pemberley estate
That Darcy has always been remarkably kind to Wickham, and it is Wickham who has treated Darcy infamously
That Wickham and Darcy were once close friends but fell out over a gambling debt at university
That Wickham has been spreading lies about Darcy's sister Georgiana throughout the militia regiment

How does Elizabeth respond to Miss Bingley's warning about Wickham?

She thanks Miss Bingley for her concern and promises to investigate the matter more carefully
She dismisses it entirely, seeing nothing in it but Miss Bingley's own willful ignorance and Darcy's malice
She is deeply shaken and begins to doubt Wickham's account of the church living affair
She asks Miss Bingley for specific details so she can judge the situation fairly from both sides

Why does Mr. Collins insist on introducing himself to Mr. Darcy?

Because Mrs. Bennet instructs him to make connections with wealthy gentlemen for the family's benefit
Because he overhears Darcy mention Lady Catherine de Bourgh and considers it his clerical duty to pay respects to her nephew
Because Charlotte Lucas suggests it would be a good opportunity to improve his social standing in the county
Because Elizabeth recommends the introduction as a way to discuss the Hunsford parsonage directly

What does Mrs. Bennet talk about loudly at supper, and who overhears her?

She criticizes Darcy's manners and proud behavior, and Mr. Bingley overhears her complaints
She predicts Jane will soon marry Bingley and enumerates the match's advantages, while Mr. Darcy sits opposite and overhears
She discusses Elizabeth's interest in Wickham, and Miss Bingley overhears the entire conversation
She complains about the quality of the supper, and Mrs. Hurst overhears and takes visible offense

How does Mr. Bennet stop Mary from singing a third song at the ball?

He politely asks the musicians to play a different piece so other guests may dance instead
He whispers to Mrs. Bennet, who gently suggests Mary take a rest and enjoy the refreshments
He says aloud: "That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit."
He sends Elizabeth to tell Mary that the evening is growing late and it is time to leave

What prevents Elizabeth from dancing with anyone else for the rest of the evening?

She is too embarrassed by her family's behavior and retreats to sit with Charlotte Lucas all night
Mr. Collins stations himself at her side the entire evening, blocking other partners despite her refusals to dance with him again
Darcy's cold demeanor discourages every officer and gentleman from approaching her for a dance
She injures her ankle during the first set and must sit out the remaining dances in discomfort

What is Mrs. Bennet confident of as she leaves the Netherfield ball?

That Darcy will propose to Elizabeth within the month, uniting the families in a grand match
That Jane will be settled at Netherfield within months and that Elizabeth will marry Mr. Collins
That the Bingley sisters have become true friends to Jane and will champion the marriage
That Mr. Bennet will invite Bingley to hunt at Longbourn, cementing the family alliance

What literary technique does Austen use in Elizabeth's remark that she and Darcy share "an unsocial, taciturn disposition"?

Foreshadowing, because this accurately predicts their eventual withdrawal from society together
Irony, because the description clearly fits Darcy but is the opposite of Elizabeth's lively, sociable nature
Hyperbole, because Austen exaggerates both characters' shyness to create comedy in the scene
Symbolism, because their silence during the dance represents the barriers of class that divide them

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