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

Uncle Howard

Aunt Georgiana

Clark's mother
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
She had been left a legacy by a bachelor relative and had to settle the estate.

She wanted to visit Clark.

She wanted to get away from Nebraska for a little while.

She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
The day prior

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

In one year

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

Sad

Overcome by memories

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

Boat

Plane

Horse-drawn wagon
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
She decided to not return to Nebraska.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

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

Take a nap

Ask him about his life in Boston

Listen to music
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

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska

At the Boston Conservatory
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?
Regretful

Inexplicable

Star-crossed

Inspiring
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
Red Willow County, Nebraska

Douglas County, Nebraska

The Green Mountains, Vermont

Fenway, Boston
12 How long had Aunt Georgiana lived on the Nebraska homestead before visiting Clark in Boston?
Thirty years

Five years

A decade

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?
Reverential and affectionate

Disgusted and afraid

Resentful

Friendly
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?
How to play an accordian

Music scales and exercises

How to husk corn

How to cook
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She was pious and martyr-like.

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

She adopted the religion of her husband.

She hated religion.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A walk on the Boston Common

A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?
Anticipation about being back in Boston

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?
She would hate the music.

She would embarrass him.

He had wasted his money.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly families with young children

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

She closed her eyes.

She got up and left.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.
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?
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 "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 hated music now.

She loved her life in Nebraska.

She missed him very much.

She did not wish to return to 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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