Chapter 23 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 23

Who comes to Longbourn to announce Charlotte's engagement to Mr. Collins?

Charlotte herself, who arrives unexpectedly to share the news in person
Sir William Lucas, sent by Charlotte to formally announce the engagement
Lady Lucas, who stops by during her regular social call to the Bennets
Mr. Collins, who writes a letter delivered by express messenger that morning

How does Mrs. Bennet respond when Sir William announces Charlotte's engagement?

She congratulates him warmly but privately tells Elizabeth she thinks it a terrible match
She bursts into tears and retreats to her room, overcome with emotion about losing Collins
She insists he must be entirely mistaken, protesting with more perseverance than politeness
She falls silent and turns pale, unable to speak for several minutes from shock

What does Lydia blurt out when she hears about Charlotte's engagement to Mr. Collins?

That Charlotte is far too plain for someone as important as a clergyman with Lady Catherine's patronage
That Mr. Collins had proposed to Elizabeth first and surely still wants to marry Lizzy instead
That she always knew Charlotte was desperate enough to accept any man who would have her
That the match will never last because Mr. Collins is the most boring man in all of England

How does Elizabeth help Sir William during the awkward announcement scene?

She escorts him quickly to the door and apologizes privately for her family's behavior
She confirms the engagement by mentioning her prior knowledge from Charlotte and offers congratulations
She scolds her mother and Lydia for their rudeness and demands they show proper courtesy
She changes the subject to the weather and local news until her family composes themselves

Which of the following is NOT one of Mrs. Bennet's conclusions after Sir William leaves?

That the whole matter is untrue and the engagement never happened at all
That Charlotte must have manipulated Collins into proposing through deceptive scheming
That Mr. Collins has been taken in and deceived about the arrangement
That the match might yet be broken off before any wedding takes place

What is Mr. Bennet's reaction to Charlotte and Mr. Collins's engagement?

He is quietly distressed about losing the chance to keep Longbourn in the family through Elizabeth
He is irritated and tells Mrs. Bennet they should have forced Elizabeth to accept Collins sooner
He is amused, saying Charlotte is as foolish as his wife and more foolish than his daughter
He is indifferent and refuses to discuss the matter, retreating to his library without comment

What happens to Elizabeth and Charlotte's friendship after the engagement is announced?

They have a heated argument about the morality of marrying without love and stop speaking
Charlotte apologizes to Elizabeth and explains her practical reasons for accepting Collins
A restraint keeps them mutually silent, and Elizabeth feels real confidence can never return
Elizabeth writes Charlotte a letter expressing her disappointment but wishing her well

Who does Elizabeth turn to with "fonder regard" after her disappointment in Charlotte?

Her aunt Mrs. Gardiner, whose judgment and maturity she has always trusted deeply
Her sister Jane, whose rectitude and delicacy she trusts completely and without question
Her father Mr. Bennet, who shares her sharp wit and dislike of foolish social conventions
Her younger sisters Kitty and Lydia, hoping to guide them away from Charlotte's mistake

What rumor about Mr. Bingley begins circulating in Meryton during this chapter?

That he has become engaged to Miss Darcy and will never return to Netherfield again
That he has sold Netherfield Park and purchased a new estate in a different county entirely
That he is coming no more to Netherfield for the whole winter, perhaps permanently
That he has quarreled with Mr. Darcy over Jane and been forbidden to return to Hertfordshire

What does Elizabeth fear may keep Bingley away from Jane?

Jane's own pride and reluctance to show her feelings openly in front of Bingley's friends
The united efforts of his sisters, his friend Darcy, Miss Darcy's attractions, and London's amusements
Mr. Darcy's personal dislike of the Bennet family and his determination to separate the couple
Bingley's own wavering character and tendency to fall in love with every pretty woman he meets

What does Mr. Collins's letter reveal about Lady Catherine de Bourgh's opinion of his marriage?

She disapproves strongly and warns him that a wife of Charlotte's low birth is beneath his station
She is indifferent but grants him permission to marry since it will not affect his clerical duties
She heartily approves and wishes the marriage to take place as soon as possible
She requests a formal meeting with Charlotte before giving her final consent to the union

Why does Mrs. Bennet resent Mr. Collins's return to Longbourn?

She fears he will try to propose to another of her daughters now that Elizabeth has refused him
She finds it strange he comes to Longbourn instead of Lucas Lodge, and she hates having visitors
She worries his presence will remind Bingley of the family's connection to a mere clergyman
She is embarrassed that the neighborhood will gossip about Collins courting Charlotte under her roof

How does Mrs. Bennet view Charlotte when she visits Longbourn after the engagement?

With polite coolness and careful avoidance of any personal conversation or warmth
With jealous abhorrence, regarding her as a rival who will take possession of the house
With bitter pity, believing Charlotte has made a terrible mistake she will soon regret
With open hostility, refusing to speak to her or allow her inside the house at all

What is Mr. Bennet's famous response when Mrs. Bennet laments that Charlotte will be mistress of Longbourn?

He suggests they should challenge the entail in court since it is unfair to their daughters
He reminds her that she should have thought of this before allowing Elizabeth to refuse Collins
He says they should hope for better things and flatter themselves that he may be the survivor
He tells her to stop worrying because Collins might die young given his poor constitution

How does Jane handle her anxiety about Bingley's absence?

She writes multiple letters to Caroline Bingley demanding to know when he will return
She confides in Elizabeth nightly about her fears and asks for advice on how to proceed
She conceals her feelings and never alludes to the subject with Elizabeth despite her pain
She visits Netherfield Park to inquire with the servants about Bingley's expected return date

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