A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

By Talia Rothstein · Last reviewed June 07, 2020

1 Who sent Clark the letter at the start of the story?

Clark's mother

Aunt Georgiana

Clark's friend

Uncle Howard
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?

She had been left a legacy by a bachelor relative and had to settle the estate.

She wanted to get away from Nebraska for a little while.

She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.

She wanted to visit Clark.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?

In one year

The day prior

The very next day

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?

Overcome by memories

Excited

Sad

Angry
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?

Plane

Horse-drawn wagon

Day coach

Boat
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

She made friends with a fellow passenger.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?

Listen to music

Take a nap

Cry

Ask him about his life in Boston
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?

A farmhand in Nebraska

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A dressmaker
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska

At the Boston Conservatory

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?

Star-crossed

Inspiring

Regretful

Inexplicable
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?

The Green Mountains, Vermont

Douglas County, Nebraska

Red Willow County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston
12 How long had Aunt Georgiana lived on the Nebraska homestead before visiting Clark in Boston?

A decade

Five years

One year

Thirty years
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?

Her ill-fitting false teeth

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

Her yellow skin

The poor quality of her dress
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?

Resentful

Reverential and affectionate

Disgusted and afraid

Friendly
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?

How to husk corn

How to play an accordian

How to cook

Music scales and exercises
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?

She was pious and martyr-like.

She adopted the religion of her husband.

She grew up religious but didn't pay it much mind.

She hated religion.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A fine meal at a restaurant

A walk on the Boston Common

A tour of the Boston Conservatory
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Anticipation about being back in Boston

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?

She would embarrass him.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

She would hate the music.

He had wasted his money.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?

Mostly women in beautiful dresses

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly families with young children
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?

She began to cry.

She closed her eyes.

She got up and left.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?

He was grateful for his music studies.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He remembered his childhood.

He was overcome with emotion himself.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?

Played a phantom piano

Smoothed her hair

Knotted them in her lap

Held Clark's hands
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?

During the "Prize Song"

During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?

She loved her life in Nebraska.

She hated music now.

She missed him very much.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

Study Guide for A Wagner Matinée

A Wagner Matinée study guide contains a biography of Willa Cather, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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A Wagner Matinée

by Willa Cather

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

A Wagner Matinée Questions and Answers

Study Guide for A Wagner Matinée

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