Chapter 31 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 31

Why are the Parsonage guests not invited to Rosings for nearly a week after the gentlemen arrive?

Lady Catherine is ill and unable to receive visitors during the Easter holiday season
While there are visitors already in the house, the Parsonage party "could not be necessary" to Lady Catherine
Mr. Collins has offended Lady Catherine by arriving late to church services on Palm Sunday
Colonel Fitzwilliam has specifically asked Lady Catherine not to invite anyone while he settles in

Who has called at the Parsonage during the week before the Rosings invitation?

Both Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy have visited the Parsonage more than once during the week
Colonel Fitzwilliam has called more than once, while Darcy has only been seen at church
Mr. Darcy has visited twice to speak privately with Elizabeth about Hertfordshire matters
Neither gentleman has called, as Lady Catherine forbids them from visiting the Parsonage alone

What subjects do Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth discuss that draw the attention of Lady Catherine and Darcy?

Elizabeth's family connections in Hertfordshire and the rumors surrounding Darcy and Miss de Bourgh
Kent and Hertfordshire, travelling and staying at home, new books and music -- a wide range of lively topics
The latest London fashions and Colonel Fitzwilliam's military campaigns on the Continent
Charlotte's management of the Parsonage household and Mr. Collins's sermons at Hunsford church

What does Lady Catherine claim about her relationship to music?

She studied pianoforte under a London master for ten years but gave it up after marriage
She considers music a frivolous pursuit beneath the dignity of ladies of her social standing
She says few people in England have more true enjoyment of music, and if she had ever learned, she would have been a great proficient
She admits she has no natural talent but compensates by attending every concert in London each season

Where does Lady Catherine suggest Elizabeth is welcome to practice the pianoforte?

In the main music room at Rosings, provided she comes only in the mornings before Lady Catherine rises
In Mrs. Jenkinson's room at Rosings, where "she would be in nobody's way" in that part of the house
In the Parsonage parlour, where Lady Catherine promises to send a spare instrument from the Rosings collection
In the church vestry after Sunday services, where a small instrument is kept for the choir director

How does Darcy position himself when Elizabeth begins playing the pianoforte?

He remains seated beside Lady Catherine, listening from across the room with polite detachment
He walks away from Lady Catherine and stations himself to command a full view of Elizabeth's countenance
He takes a seat next to Colonel Fitzwilliam near the instrument to turn the pages of her sheet music
He moves to the far window and looks out at the garden, appearing indifferent to her performance

What does Elizabeth say about her own character when she notices Darcy watching her play?

She says she is naturally shy and begs him not to watch so closely lest she make mistakes
She says there is a stubbornness about her that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others
She says she plays only for her own amusement and does not care what anyone thinks of her skill
She admits she is nervous but insists Colonel Fitzwilliam's company gives her enough courage to continue

What does Darcy say he has learned about Elizabeth from their acquaintance?

That she is one of the most naturally talented musicians he has encountered outside London society
That she shares his preference for solitude and avoids the company of strangers whenever possible
That she finds great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not her own
That she is the most honest and straightforward woman of his acquaintance in every conversation

What embarrassing story does Elizabeth tell Colonel Fitzwilliam about Darcy at the Meryton ball?

That Darcy insulted Elizabeth within her hearing by calling her "not handsome enough to tempt me"
That Darcy refused to dance with any lady except Miss Bingley for the entire duration of the evening
That Darcy danced only four dances though gentlemen were scarce and young ladies sat without partners
That Darcy arrived late, spoke to no one except Mr. Bingley, and left before the supper was served

How does Darcy defend his behavior at the Meryton ball?

He says he was unwell that evening and left early because he developed a severe headache
He says he did not have the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond his own party
He says he had been warned by Bingley's sisters that the local families were beneath their social station
He claims the musicians played badly and he could not in good conscience dance to inferior music

How does Colonel Fitzwilliam explain why Darcy does not converse easily with strangers?

He says Darcy was raised in isolation at Pemberley and never learned the social graces of London life
He says it is because Darcy will not give himself the trouble of making the effort
He attributes it to Darcy's perfectionism, saying his cousin fears saying anything less than brilliantly witty
He blames Lady Catherine's overbearing influence, which made Darcy wary of all social interaction

What analogy does Elizabeth draw between her piano playing and Darcy's social behavior?

She says both she and Darcy perform best when nobody important is watching or listening
She says her fingers lack mastery because she will not practice, implying Darcy's social stiffness is equally a choice
She compares Darcy to an untuned instrument that produces harsh sounds no matter how skillfully it is played
She says music requires innate talent just as social grace does, and neither of them possesses it naturally

What is Darcy's response to Elizabeth's analogy about practicing?

He disagrees firmly and says some talents are innate and cannot be acquired through mere practice
He says "You are perfectly right" and that no one hearing her can think anything wanting, adding "We neither of us perform to strangers"
He is visibly offended and walks away from the pianoforte without another word to Elizabeth
He changes the subject by asking Colonel Fitzwilliam to share an anecdote from his military service

What does Lady Catherine say about Elizabeth's playing after approaching the pianoforte?

She praises Elizabeth warmly and says her playing rivals the finest performers she has heard in London
She says Elizabeth would not play at all amiss with more practice and a London master, though her taste is not equal to Anne's
She declares the pianoforte out of tune and blames Mrs. Jenkinson for neglecting to have it serviced
She says nothing about the playing itself but criticizes Elizabeth's posture and hand position at the keys

What does Elizabeth conclude about Darcy's feelings toward Miss de Bourgh by the end of Chapter 31?

She is convinced Darcy is deeply in love with Miss de Bourgh and will propose before the summer
She believes Darcy actively dislikes Miss de Bourgh and dreads the prospect of an arranged marriage
She can discern no symptom of love and concludes he might have been just as likely to marry anyone, including Miss Bingley
She suspects Darcy was once attached to Miss de Bourgh but has recently transferred his affections to someone else

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