The Beggar’s Opera Quizzes

The Beggar's Opera Quiz 1

By E. Zucker · Edited by S.R. Cedars · Last reviewed July 21, 2013

1 The introductory scene features which characters:

Peachum, the Beggar and the Player

Peachum, alone

the Beggar and the Player

Peachum and Mrs. Peachum
2 The Beggar states the play was originally written to celebrate:

the coronation of George II

the marriage of two ballad-singers

London’s two most famous sopranos

the coronation of George III
3 The Beggar’s stated purpose for writing the play should be understood as:

throne-approved propaganda

straightforwardly true

loosely based on fact

ironic
4 When the Player says “Play away the ouverture,” he means:

Rise for the singing of "God Save the King"

Strike up the musicians

The play has reached its conclusion

Begin the prologue
5 Act I takes place entirely in:

Peachum’s house

an alehouse tavern

Newgate Prison

Peachum’s stolen-goods warehouse
6 Peachum is first shown examining:

a marriage certificate

a dowry agreement

the Bible

his accounts book
7 When Peachum tells Filch that Black Moll may “plead her belly” at trial, he means:

She may offer her body to the prosecutors in exchange for leniency.

She may cry hysterically to win sympathy.

She may pretend to be pregnant to avoid hanging.

She may plead hunger as a reason for her thieving.
8 In terms of punishment, “transportation” entails:

service to the nobles’ palanquins

labor in the West Indies

confinement at a local prison camp

railroad construction for no pay
9 Filch is:

Polly’s secret lover

Lockit’s apprentice

Macheath’s best friend

a go-between for several characters
10 Newgate is:

the grounds of Buckingham Palace

London’s most notorious prison

a fashionable district of London

London’s most famous racetrack
11 According to Peachum, why would a woman want to marry?

to produce a son

to share in the burden of taxation

to gain a man’s property through widow-hood

to have children who take care of their elderly parents
12 After learning about Polly's marriage, what does Peachum plan?

to have Polly feign pregnancy to scare him away

to secure an inheritance and then have Macheath hanged

to annul the marriage and then betray Macheath

to test Macheath’s fidelity by leaving him alone with a group of attractive prostitutes
13 What does Polly mean when she refers to the “cart”?

the cart leading Macheath to his hanging

the train car leading Macheath to a distant work camp

the cart Macheath will load wheat upon when they live together on a farm

the carriage Macheath will ride to prison
14 What is the name of the hill and tree where hangings occur?

Newgate

Topamax

Holborn

Tyburn
15 When Peachum speaks of "Sessions," he's referring to:

musical lessons for his wife, Mrs. Peachum

weekend evenings reserved for burglary

quarterly meetings of the criminal court

tutoring sessions for his daughter, Polly
16 What does Peachum say is "as fashionable a crime as man can be guilty of"?

larceny

adultery

blackmail

murder
17 At the beginning of the play, Mrs. Peachum identifies which vice as Macheath's undoing?

lechery

drinking

gambling

gluttony
18 From whom does Peachum first learn of his daughter's relationship with Macheath?

Filch

Polly herself

Lockit

Mrs. Peachum
19 Peachum's first objection to the concept of marriage is that:

It puts a man in his wife's power.

It limits a person's amorous possibility.

It brings on early aging.

It puts a woman in her husband's power.
20 Mrs. Peachum accuses Polly of imitating whom in the girl's pursuit of marriage?

"fine ladies"

the highwaymen

the Russian Czarina

her parents
21 Quadrille is:

a fashionable hat

a horse-drawn carriage

a popular dance

a popular card game
22 Who betrays Polly's confidence to Mrs. Peachum?

Black Moll

Macheath

Filch

Suky Tawdry
23 When Polly first appears, she tells her father what about her relationship to Macheath?

that she's toying with him for profit

that they have already eloped

that the entire matter is pure gossip

that she has had to rebuff Macheath's attention
24 Who first reveals to Peachum that Polly and Macheath are married?

Polly

Mrs. Peachum

Macheath

Filch
25 How does Polly finally admit the truth of her marriage?

through an opinion piece in the London paper

through an air

through a letter to her parents

through a monologue to the audience

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