Chapter 20 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 20

How does Mr. Collins initially interpret Elizabeth's refusal of his proposal?

He believes she is genuinely repulsed by him and considers leaving Longbourn immediately
He assumes it is a display of bashful modesty typical of elegant females
He suspects Mrs. Bennet has secretly advised Elizabeth to refuse in order to test his resolve
He concludes that Elizabeth is in love with another man and therefore unavailable

What causes Mr. Collins to briefly reconsider whether Elizabeth would be a good wife?

Elizabeth's direct statement that she finds him personally unappealing and dull
Mr. Bennet's warning that Elizabeth will never submit to a domineering husband
Mrs. Bennet's description of Elizabeth as "headstrong and foolish" in her efforts to help
Charlotte Lucas's observation that Elizabeth seems unsuited to a clergyman's life

Where does Mrs. Bennet go to seek help after speaking with Mr. Collins?

To Jane's bedroom, where she begs her eldest daughter to intervene on her behalf
To Charlotte Lucas's home, hoping her friend can talk sense into Elizabeth
To Mr. Bennet's library, demanding he order Elizabeth to accept the proposal
To the breakfast room, where she writes a letter to Lady Catherine de Bourgh

What is the "unhappy alternative" Mr. Bennet presents to Elizabeth?

She must choose between marrying Mr. Collins or being sent to live with her aunt and uncle in London
She must choose between accepting Collins or forfeiting her share of the family inheritance entirely
Her mother will never see her again if she refuses Collins, and her father will never see her if she accepts
She must choose between staying at Longbourn without prospects or accepting a position as a governess

How does Elizabeth react to Mr. Bennet's verdict about Mr. Collins?

She bursts into tears of relief, having feared her father would side with her mother
She thanks him formally and promises to find a more suitable match in the future
She cannot help but smile at "such a conclusion of such a beginning" of his speech
She leaves the room quietly without responding, overwhelmed by the family conflict

What two "small favours" does Mr. Bennet request of his wife?

That she stop crying and that she apologize to Elizabeth for her harsh words
That she allow him the free use of his understanding and the free use of his room
That she never mention Mr. Collins again and that she leave Elizabeth's future to him
That she sit down calmly and that she listen to his reasoning before responding

How does Jane respond when Mrs. Bennet tries to enlist her help in pressuring Elizabeth?

She agrees to speak with Elizabeth privately but ultimately takes her sister's side
She argues openly with her mother, insisting Elizabeth has the right to refuse
She declines to interfere, with all possible mildness and without taking either side
She offers to marry Mr. Collins herself in order to resolve the family crisis

What does the narrator reveal about Mr. Collins's true feelings after Elizabeth's rejection?

He is deeply heartbroken and spends the afternoon writing sorrowful poetry in the garden
His pride is hurt but he suffers little otherwise, as his regard for Elizabeth was "quite imaginary"
He feels humiliated and immediately begins planning his departure from Longbourn
He is relieved because he secretly preferred Jane and now feels free to pursue her instead

Who first tells Charlotte Lucas about Mr. Collins's failed proposal?

Mrs. Bennet, who calls Charlotte into the breakfast room to share her grievances
Elizabeth, who confides in Charlotte as soon as she arrives at Longbourn that morning
Lydia, who flies to Charlotte in the vestibule and whispers the news gleefully
Jane, who greets Charlotte at the door with a composed account of the morning's events

What argument does Mrs. Bennet use to warn Elizabeth about refusing marriage proposals?

That Lady Catherine de Bourgh will be personally offended and may cause trouble for the family
That if Elizabeth keeps refusing every offer, she will never get a husband and no one can maintain her
That the other sisters will suffer because no gentleman will court a family with a stubborn daughter
That Mr. Bingley will think poorly of the family and stop courting Jane as a result

What does Mr. Collins claim about "resignation" in his withdrawal speech?

That resignation is a virtue he has never needed to practice until this very moment
That resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose its value
That resignation is the mark of a weak character and he refuses to accept Elizabeth's decision
That resignation must be accompanied by an apology from the person who caused the disappointment

Who remains in the room when Mrs. Bennet asks for a private conversation with Mr. Collins?

Only Jane, who stays to mediate between her mother and Mr. Collins as peacemaker
Only Elizabeth, who refuses to leave because she wants to defend herself against further criticism
Lydia and Charlotte -- Lydia determined to eavesdrop, Charlotte pretending not to hear by the window
All five Bennet sisters, who stand together in solidarity against their mother's complaints

What does Mr. Collins apologize for at the end of Chapter 20?

For having proposed to Elizabeth without first securing her parents' formal permission
For accepting his dismissal from Elizabeth directly instead of going through her parents
For causing discord in the family by visiting Longbourn with matrimonial intentions
For speaking too harshly about Elizabeth's character during his conversation with Mrs. Bennet

Which theme does Mr. Bennet's behavior in this chapter best illustrate?

The danger of excessive pride in one's social standing and family connections
The tension between parental authority and individual choice in Regency-era marriage
The importance of wealth and property in determining suitable marriage partners
The power of first impressions to shape lasting judgments about a person's character

What does Charlotte Lucas's presence in Chapter 20 foreshadow?

Her eventual role as Elizabeth's confidante during the visit to Rosings Park later in the novel
Her decision to accept Mr. Collins's proposal herself, which occurs in the following chapters
Her growing friendship with Jane Bennet and involvement in the Bingley courtship subplot
Her departure from Meryton to seek employment as a governess in a neighboring county

Comprehension Quiz

Question 1 of 0

Score: 0 / 0

Read Chapter

← Previous Next →