Chapter 46 Quiz — Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 46
Why does Elizabeth receive two letters from Jane at the same time instead of one at a time?
- Jane deliberately held both letters and sent them together so Elizabeth would have the full picture at once
- One letter had been misdirected elsewhere because Jane had written the address remarkably badly
- The mail coach between Hertfordshire and Derbyshire ran only twice weekly, causing letters to accumulate
- Mr. Gardiner had intercepted the first letter and waited to deliver it alongside the second for discretion
In Jane's first letter, what reason does she give for believing Wickham's intentions might not be entirely mercenary?
- She points out that Wickham has always spoken warmly of Lydia and showed genuine affection for her at social events
- She notes that his choice is disinterested at least, since he must know their father can give Lydia nothing
- She argues that Colonel Forster would never have allowed Wickham near Lydia if he suspected dishonorable motives
- She reminds Elizabeth that Wickham comes from a respectable family and was raised alongside Darcy at Pemberley
What crucial piece of intelligence does Jane's second letter contain that transforms the elopement from imprudent to scandalous?
- Wickham has been discovered to have massive gambling debts in Brighton that he was fleeing from when he left town
- Colonel Forster traced the pair only to Clapham, and Denny expressed his belief that Wickham never intended to marry Lydia
- A letter from Wickham was found confessing that he planned to abandon Lydia once they reached London
- Mrs. Forster testified that she overheard Wickham telling another officer he intended to break off the affair soon
How does Elizabeth react physically and emotionally immediately after finishing both of Jane's letters?
- She calmly folds the letters, composes a reply to Jane, and then quietly informs the Gardiners of the situation
- She darts from her seat to find her uncle, pale-faced and impetuous, desperate not to lose a moment of precious time
- She faints on the spot and must be revived by a servant before she can communicate the contents to anyone
- She retreats to her room and locks the door, refusing to speak to anyone until the Gardiners force their way in
What is the first thing Darcy offers to do when he sees Elizabeth's distressed state?
- He offers to write immediately to Colonel Forster and use his own connections to help trace Wickham in London
- He offers to send a servant after the Gardiners so Elizabeth does not have to pursue them while unwell
- He offers to summon a doctor from Lambton to attend to Elizabeth, whom he fears has fallen seriously ill
- He offers to ride to Longbourn himself and deliver the news to Jane so Elizabeth may rest before traveling
What information does Elizabeth share with Darcy about Wickham that she later reflects she should have shared with her family?
- She tells him about Wickham's gambling habits and debts in Meryton, which she learned from local shopkeepers
- She reveals to Darcy that she knew what Wickham was, and that explaining even part of what she had learned could have prevented the disaster
- She shares the details of Wickham's earlier attempt to elope with another young woman in Hertfordshire
- She explains that Wickham had confided his plan to target Lydia specifically during the regiment's stay in Brighton
How does Elizabeth interpret Darcy's behavior as he paces the room in gloomy silence after hearing the news?
- She believes he is formulating a plan to help find Lydia and bring Wickham to justice for the family's sake
- She assumes his gloomy meditation confirms that her family's disgrace has extinguished his feelings and all love must be vain
- She thinks he is simply uncomfortable being present during a private family crisis and wishes to leave politely
- She suspects he feels guilty for not having publicly exposed Wickham's character when he had the opportunity
What does the narrator suggest is a better foundation for romantic attachment than love at first sight?
- Shared social standing and family connections, which ensure compatibility and prevent misalliances between classes
- Gratitude and esteem, which the narrator argues Elizabeth's growing feelings for Darcy are based upon
- Physical proximity and repeated social interaction, which allow two people to discover common interests gradually
- Financial security and practical advantage, which the narrator suggests produce the most stable and lasting marriages
What does Darcy say to Elizabeth just before he leaves the room?
- He declares that Wickham is a scoundrel who deserves punishment and promises to help track him down in London immediately
- He says he has long been desiring to leave, that he has unavailing concern, and wishes for a happier conclusion than is presently hoped
- He tells Elizabeth he still loves her and that nothing her family could do would diminish his regard for her character
- He advises her to conceal the scandal from as many people as possible and offers his solicitor's services to the family
What does Elizabeth reflect about Lydia's susceptibility to Wickham's attentions?
- She believes Lydia was specifically targeted by Wickham because of her connections to the Darcy and Bingley families
- She concludes that Lydia wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody, with affections continually fluctuating but never without an object
- She thinks Lydia fell in love with Wickham because of his resemblance to a character in one of her favorite novels
- She suspects Mrs. Forster encouraged the attachment by leaving Lydia and Wickham alone together too frequently in Brighton
What does Elizabeth blame for making Lydia vulnerable to a man like Wickham?
- The regiment's presence in Meryton, which exposed young women to unprincipled officers without proper supervision
- The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence toward such a girl, meaning her parents' failure to discipline her properly
- Jane's excessive kindness, which taught Lydia that everyone deserved the benefit of the doubt regardless of their behavior
- The fashionable education at boarding schools that taught girls to value charm and appearance over moral character
What does Mrs. Gardiner ask Elizabeth that reveals her perceptiveness about Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship?
- She asks whether Darcy was rude to Elizabeth and whether his visit was an unwelcome intrusion during the crisis
- She asks whether Elizabeth and Darcy are upon such terms as for her to disclose the real truth about the elopement
- She asks whether Darcy offered any financial assistance to help the family through the impending scandal
- She asks whether Elizabeth has been corresponding secretly with Darcy since they left Pemberley the previous day
Why does Elizabeth believe Wickham could never be motivated to marry Lydia?
- She knows Wickham is already secretly engaged to another woman of superior fortune and cannot marry Lydia
- She reasons that Lydia has no money, no connections, and nothing that can tempt a mercenary man like Wickham to marry
- She has learned from Darcy's letter that Wickham has sworn never to marry and plans to remain a bachelor in the army
- She believes Wickham's pride would prevent him from marrying someone of Lydia's young age and immature character
How long does it take the Gardiners and Elizabeth to depart Lambton after learning the news?
- They leave immediately without settling accounts, sending word back later to the innkeeper with their payment
- Within one hour -- they write notes to Lambton friends, settle the inn account, and are in the carriage for Longbourn
- They stay overnight to rest and make proper preparations, departing early the following morning for Hertfordshire
- It takes the better part of the day because Mr. Gardiner must first write letters to his London business partners
What is the state of the Bennet family as described in Jane's letters?
- Mr. Bennet is calm and rational, Mrs. Bennet is managing the household, and Kitty is helping Jane with correspondence
- Mr. Bennet has gone to London to search, Mrs. Bennet is ill and keeps her room, and Kitty faces anger for concealing the attachment
- Mr. Bennet has locked himself in his library refusing visitors, Mrs. Bennet is writing frantic letters, and Mary lectures everyone
- All the Bennets have traveled to Brighton to confront Colonel Forster and demand he take responsibility for the elopement
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