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

Aunt Georgiana

Uncle Howard

Clark's mother
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?
In one year

The day prior

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

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

Sad

Angry

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

Day coach

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 made friends with a fellow passenger.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Cry

Take a nap

Listen to music

Ask him about his life in Boston
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A dressmaker

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A farmhand in Nebraska
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?
Inexplicable

Inspiring

Star-crossed

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

One year

Five years

Thirty years
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?
The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

Her ill-fitting false teeth

Her yellow skin

The poor quality of her dress
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?
Resentful

Reverential and affectionate

Friendly

Disgusted and afraid
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 adopted the religion of her husband.

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

She hated religion.

She was pious and martyr-like.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

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?
Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

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
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?
She would hate the music.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

She would embarrass him.

He had wasted his money.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
Mostly women in beautiful dresses

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly families with young children

Mostly Conservatory students
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She closed her eyes.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She began to cry.

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

He was grateful for his music studies.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He remembered his childhood.
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?
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 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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