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

Clark's friend

Uncle Howard

Aunt Georgiana
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 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

The very next day

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

In one year
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

Plane

Boat

Horse-drawn wagon
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 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?

Ask him about his life in Boston

Take a nap

Listen to music

Cry
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A farmhand in Nebraska

A dressmaker
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?

At the Boston Conservatory

In Nebraska

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?

Inexplicable

Regretful

Star-crossed

Inspiring
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?

Thirty years

Five years

A decade

One year
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?

Her yellow skin

The poor quality of her dress

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

Her ill-fitting false teeth
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?

Friendly

Reverential and affectionate

Disgusted and afraid

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 hated religion.

She adopted the religion of her husband.

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

She was pious and martyr-like.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A fine meal at a restaurant

A walk on the Boston Common
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Anticipation about being back in Boston
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 women in beautiful dresses

Mostly Conservatory students

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly families with young children
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She got up and left.

She began to cry.

She closed her eyes.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?

He was overcome with emotion himself.

He remembered his childhood.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He was grateful for his music studies.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?

Played a phantom piano

Smoothed her hair

Knotted them in her lap

Held Clark's hands
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde

During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended

During the "Prize Song"
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?

She missed him very much.

She loved her life in Nebraska.

She hated music now.

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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