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

Uncle Howard

Clark's friend

Aunt Georgiana
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?
In one year

The day prior

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

Excited

Angry

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

Horse-drawn wagon

Plane

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 made friends with a fellow passenger.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Take a nap

Listen to music

Cry

Ask him about his life in Boston
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A dressmaker

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A farmhand in Nebraska
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
At the Boston Conservatory

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?
Star-crossed

Inexplicable

Regretful

Inspiring
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
Fenway, Boston

Douglas County, Nebraska

Red Willow County, Nebraska

The Green Mountains, Vermont
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?
Her ill-fitting false teeth

Her yellow skin

The poor quality of her dress

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?
Friendly

Resentful

Disgusted and afraid

Reverential and affectionate
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?
Music scales and exercises

How to play an accordian

How to husk corn

How to cook
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She hated religion.

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

She adopted the religion of her husband.

She was pious and martyr-like.
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 tour of the Boston Conservatory

A walk on the Boston Common
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?
Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Anticipation about being back in Boston

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.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

He had wasted his money.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly families with young children

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly women in beautiful dresses
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She began to cry.

She closed her eyes.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She got up and left.
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?
Played a phantom piano

Knotted them in her lap

Smoothed her hair

Held Clark's hands
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
During the "Prize Song"

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde

During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended
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.

Read the Study Guide for A Wagner Matinée…

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

Lesson Plan for A Wagner Matinée