Chapter 21 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 21

How does Mr. Collins behave toward Elizabeth after she refuses his proposal?

He avoids her entirely by leaving Longbourn ahead of his planned departure date
He displays stiffness of manner and resentful silence, scarcely speaking to her at all
He attempts to renew his proposal by writing her a formal letter of courtship
He becomes overly cheerful and pretends the proposal never happened in the first place

To whom does Mr. Collins transfer his attentions after Elizabeth's refusal?

Jane Bennet, whom he considers the next most eligible sister in the family
Mary Bennet, who shares his interest in moral sermons and serious conversation
Charlotte Lucas, whose civility in listening provides relief to the whole household
Lydia Bennet, whose lively manner and youth attract his clerical attention

What reason does Wickham give Elizabeth for missing the Netherfield ball?

He claims he was called away on urgent military business that could not be postponed
He says his absence was self-imposed because being near Darcy for hours might be unbearable
He explains that Bingley specifically asked him not to attend to avoid a scene with Darcy
He tells her he was ill that evening and unable to travel the distance to Netherfield

What does Elizabeth think of Wickham's decision to avoid the ball?

She is disappointed and questions whether his avoidance suggests cowardice rather than honor
She suspects it was an excuse and privately doubts the truth of his story about Darcy
She highly approves his forbearance, viewing it as noble restraint on his part
She is indifferent, having already lost interest in Wickham after dancing with Darcy

What shocking news does Caroline Bingley's letter to Jane contain?

That Bingley has fallen ill in London and requires immediate medical attention from his sisters
That Darcy has proposed to Caroline and the entire party has relocated for the wedding preparations
That the whole Bingley party has left Netherfield for London with no intention of returning
That Caroline has discovered Wickham's true character and warns Jane to inform Elizabeth

What does Caroline's letter strongly hint about Bingley's romantic future?

That Bingley has already proposed to a wealthy heiress in London society circles
That Bingley plans to return to Netherfield in the spring to court Jane properly
That Bingley is expected to marry Georgiana Darcy, whose beauty and accomplishments are praised
That Bingley has decided to remain a bachelor and dedicate himself to his business interests

How does Jane interpret Caroline Bingley's letter?

She recognizes it as a strategic attempt to discourage her and resolves to fight for Bingley
She believes Caroline is jealous and is trying to eliminate competition for Darcy's attention
She concludes that Caroline neither expects nor wishes her to be Bingley's wife, and warns sincerely
She dismisses the letter as gossip and insists Bingley will return regardless of his sisters

What is Elizabeth's interpretation of Caroline's motive for writing the letter?

Caroline genuinely believes Bingley is better suited to Georgiana and is trying to spare Jane's feelings
Caroline sees her brother is in love with Jane and is scheming to separate them and push him toward Miss Darcy
Caroline is following instructions from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who opposes any Bennet family connection
Caroline is testing Jane's loyalty to see whether she will continue pursuing Bingley despite obstacles

According to Elizabeth, why does Caroline want an "intermarriage" between the Bingley and Darcy families?

So that both families can combine their estates and become the wealthiest family in the county
Because Lady Catherine has offered a dowry for any woman who brings Darcy and Georgiana together
Because if Bingley marries Georgiana, Caroline may have less trouble achieving her own match with Mr. Darcy
So that Caroline can befriend Georgiana and gain an introduction to other eligible gentlemen in their circle

How does Jane respond when Elizabeth suggests Caroline is deliberately deceiving her?

She agrees reluctantly but says she cannot bring herself to confront Caroline about it
She refuses to believe Caroline capable of willful deception, hoping instead that Caroline is deceiving herself
She becomes angry with Elizabeth for always thinking the worst of people in social situations
She admits the possibility but insists it does not change her own feelings toward Bingley at all

What worry does Jane express about marrying Bingley even if he does return?

That she would be unable to manage a large estate like Netherfield without proper training
That Wickham's presence in Meryton might cause ongoing conflict between Bingley and Darcy
That she could not be happy accepting a man whose sisters and friends all wish him to marry someone else
That Mrs. Bennet's embarrassing behavior at the ball has permanently damaged the family's reputation

How does Elizabeth respond to Jane's concern about Bingley's sisters' disapproval?

She promises to speak with Bingley directly and make him aware of his sisters' scheming behavior
She tells Jane to wait six months and see whether Bingley proves his independence from his sisters
She advises that if the misery of disobliging his sisters outweighs the happiness of being his wife, Jane should refuse
She suggests Jane write to Caroline to clarify her feelings and settle the matter through honest correspondence

What is the effect of Elizabeth's reassurances on Jane by the end of their conversation?

Jane becomes fully confident and dismisses Caroline's letter as meaningless social gossip
Jane is gradually led to hope that Bingley will return, though diffidence of affection sometimes overcomes her hope
Jane decides to write Bingley a letter confessing her feelings and asking him to return to Netherfield
Jane resolves to forget Bingley entirely and focus on other prospects for the coming social season

How does Mrs. Bennet react when told the Bingley party has left Netherfield?

She collapses in shock and takes to her bed for the remainder of the day in dramatic despair
She laments the timing but consoles herself that Bingley will return soon, and plans two full courses for dinner
She blames Elizabeth entirely, insisting that her refusal of Collins drove the Bingleys away from the neighborhood
She writes an angry letter to Caroline demanding an explanation for the sudden and rude departure

What does Elizabeth's reaction to Caroline's "highflown expressions" of friendship reveal about her character?

Her tendency to be overly suspicious of anyone from a higher social class than her own family
Her perceptive ability to see through insincere flattery, listening with "all the insensibility of distrust"
Her jealousy of Caroline's refined manners and elegant writing style on hot-pressed paper
Her impatience with letter-writing conventions that she considers outdated and unnecessarily formal

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