Chapter 42 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 42
According to Elizabeth's analysis, why did Mr. Bennet originally marry Mrs. Bennet?
- He was pressured by his family to secure the Longbourn estate through marriage and chose the most available candidate
- He was captivated by youth and beauty, and the appearance of good humour that youth and beauty generally give
- He admired her lively conversation and wit, qualities that reminded him of his own intellectual temperament
- He fell in love with her family connections and the modest fortune she would bring to the Bennet household
How does Mr. Bennet cope with his disappointment in marriage?
- He takes frequent trips to London to enjoy society and distance himself from his wife's company at Longbourn
- He pours his energy into managing the estate and expanding its income to secure his daughters' futures
- He retreats into his love of the country and books, and derives amusement from his wife's ignorance and folly
- He confides his frustrations in his brother-in-law Mr. Gardiner and seeks advice on improving his domestic situation
What does Elizabeth now recognize more strongly than ever about her parents' marriage?
- That her mother's nervous disposition is entirely a performance designed to manipulate Mr. Bennet into compliance
- That her father secretly regrets not marrying Lady Lucas, who would have been a far more suitable intellectual partner
- That the disadvantages of so unsuitable a marriage fall upon the children, and her father's talents could have preserved their respectability
- That her parents actually have deep affection for each other that they express through their constant sparring and disagreements
What are Lydia's letters to Kitty from Brighton described as?
- Rather longer than her letters to her mother, but much too full of lines under the words to be made public
- Surprisingly thoughtful and reflective, showing a maturity that surprises Elizabeth when she accidentally reads one
- Short and practical, mostly requesting that Kitty send additional clothing and accessories from her wardrobe at home
- Written in a secret code that the two younger sisters developed together to keep their correspondence private
What philosophical conclusion does Elizabeth reach about anticipated happiness?
- That happiness is best achieved by setting modest expectations and refusing to hope for anything extraordinary in life
- That true contentment comes only from personal virtue, and external events have no real bearing on lasting happiness
- That general disappointment is only warded off by having some little peculiar vexation, since a perfect scheme can never succeed
- That the secret to happiness is surrounding oneself with cheerful companions who refuse to dwell on unfortunate circumstances
Why must the Gardiners change their travel plans from the Lakes to Derbyshire?
- Mrs. Gardiner receives word that her former home in Lambton has been put up for sale and wants to see it one last time
- Mr. Gardiner is delayed a fortnight by business and must return within a month, leaving too little time for the Lakes
- Heavy rains have made the northern roads impassable, and their coachman advises a shorter, safer route through the Midlands
- Elizabeth persuades her aunt and uncle that Derbyshire's famous peaks and caverns are more worth seeing than the Lakes
What special attraction does Derbyshire hold for Mrs. Gardiner?
- She has read extensively about the county's natural beauty and has always dreamed of seeing Chatsworth and the Peak District
- She formerly passed some years of her life in the town of Lambton and still has acquaintances living there
- She is eager to visit Pemberley because she knew Mr. Darcy's mother when they were both young women in society
- She hopes to purchase Derbyshire pottery and mineral specimens as gifts for her friends back in London
How does Elizabeth initially respond when Mrs. Gardiner proposes visiting Pemberley?
- She eagerly agrees, hoping to see the estate that Wickham described so admiringly in their early conversations
- She claims to be tired of seeing great houses and says she has no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains
- She asks whether Mr. Darcy would be willing to receive visitors and suggests writing ahead to request permission
- She tells her aunt the full truth about her complicated history with Darcy and explains why the visit would be awkward
How does Mrs. Gardiner counter Elizabeth's reluctance to visit Pemberley?
- She promises that the visit will be brief and they will only view the exterior of the house from the road
- She says that if it were merely a fine house she would not care, but the grounds are delightful with some of the finest woods in the country
- She reminds Elizabeth that refusing would be rude since she has already told the Lambton acquaintances they plan to visit
- She teases Elizabeth about being afraid of encountering a certain proud gentleman and dares her to prove otherwise
How does Elizabeth secretly determine whether it is safe to visit Pemberley?
- She writes a discreet letter to Wickham asking whether the Darcys typically spend their summers at the estate
- She overhears a conversation between local tradesmen discussing Mr. Darcy's recent movements in the county
- She asks the chambermaid at their inn whether the family is down for the summer and receives a welcome negative answer
- She sends a servant ahead to Pemberley with a note of inquiry addressed to the housekeeper about visiting hours
What happens to Mrs. Bennet's mood after Lydia leaves and several weeks pass?
- She grows increasingly anxious about Lydia's welfare and writes daily letters demanding her immediate return home
- She is restored to her "usual querulous serenity" as health, good humour, and cheerfulness reappear at Longbourn
- She redirects her energies into matchmaking for Jane and begins a vigorous campaign of letter-writing to eligible families
- She falls into a prolonged depression that requires the apothecary's visits and confines her to her room for weeks
By the middle of June, what milestone does Kitty achieve in her recovery from the regiment's departure?
- She begins reading novels recommended by Mary and shows the first signs of developing intellectual interests
- She is able to enter Meryton without tears, which Elizabeth hopes means she may eventually stop mentioning officers daily
- She writes a composed letter to Lydia declining an invitation to visit Brighton and choosing to stay at Longbourn instead
- She volunteers to help Jane care for the Gardiner children and demonstrates a new sense of responsibility and maturity
Who is left in charge of the Gardiner children while the adults travel to Derbyshire?
- Mrs. Bennet takes charge of the children, delighted to have young people to fuss over during the quiet summer months
- A professional governess hired specifically for the trip accompanies the children and stays at the Gardiners' London home
- Jane is entrusted with their care, as the general favourite whose steady sense and sweetness of temper suit her perfectly
- The children are divided between the Bennet household and the Lucases, with Kitty and Maria sharing the responsibility
Which famous English landmarks does the traveling party visit on their way to Derbyshire?
- Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, and the New Forest, following the major western road from London
- Canterbury, Dover, Brighton, and Portsmouth, touring the southern coast before turning northward to Derbyshire
- Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth, and Birmingham, following a route through the English Midlands
- Cambridge, Peterborough, Nottingham, and Sheffield, traveling the Great North Road through eastern England
What is Elizabeth's final answer when asked again the next morning about visiting Pemberley?
- She reluctantly agrees but insists they spend no more than an hour and avoid entering the private family rooms
- She confesses her real reason for hesitating and asks her aunt to decide whether the visit is truly appropriate
- She answers with a proper air of indifference that she has no dislike to the scheme, and they decide to go
- She enthusiastically agrees and suggests they arrive early to have the fullest possible tour of the grounds and house
Comprehension Quiz
Question 1 of 0
Score: 0 / 0