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:

the Beggar and the Player

Peachum and Mrs. Peachum

Peachum, the Beggar and the Player

Peachum, alone
2 The Beggar states the play was originally written to celebrate:

the marriage of two ballad-singers

London’s two most famous sopranos

the coronation of George III

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

straightforwardly true

ironic

throne-approved propaganda

loosely based on fact
4 When the Player says “Play away the ouverture,” he means:

Begin the prologue

The play has reached its conclusion

Strike up the musicians

Rise for the singing of "God Save the King"
5 Act I takes place entirely in:

an alehouse tavern

Peachum’s stolen-goods warehouse

Newgate Prison

Peachum’s house
6 Peachum is first shown examining:

the Bible

his accounts book

a marriage certificate

a dowry agreement
7 When Peachum tells Filch that Black Moll may “plead her belly” at trial, he means:

She may plead hunger as a reason for her thieving.

She may pretend to be pregnant to avoid hanging.

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

She may cry hysterically to win sympathy.
8 In terms of punishment, “transportation” entails:

service to the nobles’ palanquins

confinement at a local prison camp

railroad construction for no pay

labor in the West Indies
9 Filch is:

Polly’s secret lover

Macheath’s best friend

Lockit’s apprentice

a go-between for several characters
10 Newgate is:

London’s most notorious prison

the grounds of Buckingham Palace

London’s most famous racetrack

a fashionable district of London
11 According to Peachum, why would a woman want to marry?

to share in the burden of taxation

to produce a son

to have children who take care of their elderly parents

to gain a man’s property through widow-hood
12 After learning about Polly's marriage, what does Peachum plan?

to have Polly feign pregnancy to scare him away

to annul the marriage and then betray Macheath

to test Macheath’s fidelity by leaving him alone with a group of attractive prostitutes

to secure an inheritance and then have Macheath hanged
13 What does Polly mean when she refers to the “cart”?

the cart leading Macheath to his hanging

the carriage Macheath will ride to prison

the train car leading Macheath to a distant work camp

the cart Macheath will load wheat upon when they live together on a farm
14 What is the name of the hill and tree where hangings occur?

Tyburn

Holborn

Newgate

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

quarterly meetings of the criminal court

weekend evenings reserved for burglary

musical lessons for his wife, Mrs. Peachum

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

murder

adultery

larceny

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

drinking

gambling

lechery

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

Lockit

Polly herself

Filch

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

It puts a woman in her husband's power.

It puts a man in his wife's power.

It brings on early aging.

It limits a person's amorous possibility.
20 Mrs. Peachum accuses Polly of imitating whom in the girl's pursuit of marriage?

"fine ladies"

the Russian Czarina

the highwaymen

her parents
21 Quadrille is:

a fashionable hat

a horse-drawn carriage

a popular card game

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

Macheath

Filch

Black Moll

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

that she has had to rebuff Macheath's attention

that she's toying with him for profit

that they have already eloped

that the entire matter is pure gossip
24 Who first reveals to Peachum that Polly and Macheath are married?

Macheath

Polly

Mrs. Peachum

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

through an opinion piece in the London paper

through a monologue to the audience

through an air

through a letter to her parents

Where does Act 2 take place?

Act II opens in a tavern near Newgate prison.

Asked by Fabi F #441576

Answered by jill d #170087 on 11/3/2023 1:21 PM

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"Murder is a fashionable crime as man can be guilty of"

In context, this phrase directly refers to "murder" as in killing someone in a duel..... something that men once did to settle an argument or defend their honor. Thus, this type of murder was once seen as fashionable.... a form of murder that one...

Asked by Reshma K #860071

Answered by jill d #170087 on 1/9/2019 8:46 PM

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The link for the following excerpts are linked at the bottom of the page;

"Brecht adapted The Threepenny Opera from John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera after that play underwent a successful 1920 revival at London’s Lyric Theater. Brecht’s...

Asked by harold t #76611

Answered by jill d #170087 on 12/17/2011 10:10 AM

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The Beggar's Opera

by John Gay

The Beggar's Opera Quiz 1

The Beggar’s Opera Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Beggar’s Opera

Essays for The Beggar’s Opera

E-Text of The Beggar’s Opera

Wikipedia Entries for The Beggar’s Opera