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 friend

Clark's mother

Aunt Georgiana

Uncle Howard
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.

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

She wanted to visit Clark.

She wanted to get away from Nebraska for a little while.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

The very next day

In one year

The day prior
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?
Angry

Sad

Overcome by memories

Excited
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?
Day coach

Plane

Boat

Horse-drawn wagon
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
She fell asleep and missed her stop.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

She made friends with a fellow passenger.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Ask him about his life in Boston

Listen to music

Cry

Take a nap
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A dressmaker

A farmhand in Nebraska

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

In Nebraska

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

Star-crossed

Inspiring

Regretful
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
The Green Mountains, Vermont

Douglas County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston

Red Willow County, Nebraska
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?
Friendly

Resentful

Disgusted and afraid

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

How to cook

How to husk corn

Music scales and exercises
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She adopted the religion of her husband.

She hated religion.

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

She was pious and martyr-like.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A walk on the Boston Common

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A fine meal at a restaurant
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?
Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Anticipation about being back in Boston

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?
She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

He had wasted his money.

She would embarrass him.

She would hate the music.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly families with young children

A mix of ages, races, and professions
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She began to cry.

She closed her eyes.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She got up and left.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He was overcome with emotion himself.

He remembered his childhood.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He was grateful for his music studies.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?
Smoothed her hair

Played a phantom piano

Knotted them in her lap

Held Clark's hands
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
During the second half of the concert

During the "Prize Song"

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 missed him very much.

She loved her life in Nebraska.

She hated music now.

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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