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 visit Clark.

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

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

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?

Overcome by memories

Angry

Sad

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

Boat

Day coach

Horse-drawn wagon

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

She made friends with a fellow passenger.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?

Cry

Ask him about his life in Boston

Take a nap

Listen to music
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?

A farmhand in Nebraska

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A dressmaker

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

At the Boston Conservatory

In Nebraska

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

Inexplicable

Inspiring

Regretful

Star-crossed
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?

Fenway, Boston

The Green Mountains, Vermont

Red Willow County, Nebraska

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

Thirty years

A decade

Five years

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

The poor quality of her dress

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

Her ill-fitting false teeth

Her yellow skin
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?

Friendly

Resentful

Reverential and affectionate

Disgusted and afraid
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?

How to play an accordian

How to husk corn

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 walk on the Boston Common

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A fine meal at a restaurant

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

Anticipation about being back in Boston

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle
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 families with young children

Mostly Conservatory students

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

She closed her eyes.

She began to cry.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She got up and left.
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

Held Clark's hands

Knotted them in her lap

Smoothed her hair
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?

During the "Prize Song"

During the second half of the concert

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde

When the concert ended
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?

She missed him very much.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She loved her life in 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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