A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

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

Clark's mother

Clark's friend

Uncle Howard
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
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.

She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

The very next day

The day prior

In one year
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?
Overcome by memories

Sad

Angry

Excited
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 decided to not return to Nebraska.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

She made friends with a fellow passenger.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Take a nap

Ask him about his life in Boston

Listen to music

Cry
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A farmhand in Nebraska

A dressmaker

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?
Inspiring

Star-crossed

Inexplicable

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

Fenway, Boston

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

Five 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 disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

The poor quality of her dress

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

Friendly

Reverential and affectionate

Resentful
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 fine meal at a restaurant

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A tour of the Boston Conservatory
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?
Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Anticipation about being back in Boston

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies
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 families with young children

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly Conservatory students
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 watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He remembered his childhood.

He was grateful for his music studies.

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

Smoothed her hair

Knotted them in her lap

Played a phantom piano
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde

When the concert ended

During the second half of the concert

During the "Prize Song"
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?
She hated music now.

She missed him very much.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She loved her life in 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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