A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

1 Who sent Clark the letter at the start of the story?
Clark's mother

Aunt Georgiana

Uncle Howard

Clark's friend
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.

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

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

She wanted to visit Clark.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

In one year

The day prior

The very next day
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?
Sad

Angry

Excited

Overcome by memories
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?
Boat

Horse-drawn wagon

Day coach

Plane
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
She fell asleep and missed her stop.

She made friends with a fellow passenger.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Ask him about his life in Boston

Listen to music

Take a nap

Cry
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A farmhand in Nebraska

A dressmaker
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska

At the Boston Conservatory
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?
Inspiring

Regretful

Inexplicable

Star-crossed
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
Douglas County, Nebraska

Red Willow County, Nebraska

The Green Mountains, Vermont

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

Five years

A decade

Thirty years
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?
Her ill-fitting false teeth

The poor quality of her dress

Her yellow skin

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?
Disgusted and afraid

Resentful

Friendly

Reverential and affectionate
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?
How to cook

How to play an accordian

How to husk corn

Music scales and exercises
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She was pious and martyr-like.

She hated religion.

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

She adopted the religion of her husband.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A fine meal at a restaurant

A walk on the Boston Common

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?
Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Anticipation about being back in Boston
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?
She would embarrass him.

He had wasted his money.

She would hate the music.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly Conservatory students

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly families with young children
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She closed her eyes.

She got up and left.

She began to cry.
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

Knotted them in her lap

Held Clark's hands

Smoothed her hair
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
When the concert ended

During the second half of the concert

During the "Prize Song"

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 missed him very much.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She hated music now.

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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