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 get away from Nebraska for a little while.

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 visit Clark.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
The day prior

In one year

The very next day

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter
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?
Plane

Day coach

Horse-drawn wagon

Boat
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

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?
Take a nap

Listen to music

Ask him about his life in Boston

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

A dressmaker

A farmhand in Nebraska

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

At the Boston Conservatory

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

Inspiring

Regretful

Inexplicable
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
Douglas County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston

The Green Mountains, Vermont

Red Willow County, Nebraska
12 How long had Aunt Georgiana lived on the Nebraska homestead before visiting Clark in Boston?
Five years

One year

A decade

Thirty years
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?
The poor quality of her dress

Her ill-fitting false teeth

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

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

Friendly

Reverential and affectionate

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

How to play an accordian

How to husk corn

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 hated religion.

She grew up religious but didn't pay it much mind.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A walk on the Boston Common

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

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

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?
He had wasted his money.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

She would embarrass him.

She would hate the music.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly families with young children
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She began to cry.

She got up and left.

She closed her eyes.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He remembered his childhood.

He was grateful for his music studies.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

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

During the "Prize Song"

When the concert ended

During the second half of the concert
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?
She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She missed him very much.

She hated music now.

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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