A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

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

Clark's mother

Aunt Georgiana

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 wanted to visit Clark.

She had been left a legacy by a bachelor relative and had to settle the estate.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
The very next day

The day prior

In one year

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

Excited

Overcome by memories

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

Plane

Horse-drawn wagon

Boat
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
She made friends with a fellow passenger.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

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?
Listen to music

Cry

Ask him about his life in Boston

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

A dressmaker

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

At the Boston Conservatory

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?
Regretful

Inspiring

Star-crossed

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?
Five years

Thirty years

One year

A decade
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?
Friendly

Disgusted and afraid

Resentful

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

How to husk corn

Music scales and exercises

How to play an accordian
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She hated religion.

She adopted the religion of her husband.

She was pious and martyr-like.

She grew up religious but didn't pay it much mind.
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?
Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

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
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 hate the music.

She would embarrass him.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
Mostly families with young children

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly women in beautiful dresses
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She got up and left.

She began to cry.

She closed her eyes.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He was grateful for his music studies.

He was overcome with emotion himself.

He remembered his childhood.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?
Smoothed her hair

Knotted them in her lap

Played a phantom piano

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

During the "Prize Song"

During the second half of the concert

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 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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