A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

1 Who sent Clark the letter at the start of the story?
Uncle Howard

Clark's friend

Aunt Georgiana

Clark's mother
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
She wanted to get away from Nebraska for a little while.

She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.

She had been left a legacy by a bachelor relative and had to settle the estate.

She wanted to visit Clark.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
In one year

The very next day

The day prior

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?
Angry

Excited

Sad

Overcome by memories
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?
Boat

Day coach

Horse-drawn wagon

Plane
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
She made friends with a fellow passenger.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Cry

Ask him about his life in Boston

Take a nap

Listen to music
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A farmhand in Nebraska

A dressmaker
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
At the Boston Conservatory

In Nebraska

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

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

Inexplicable

Inspiring

Star-crossed
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?
Five years

One year

Thirty years

A decade
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?
The poor quality of her dress

Her yellow skin

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?
Reverential and affectionate

Disgusted and afraid

Friendly

Resentful
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?
How to husk corn

Music scales and exercises

How to play an accordian

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 was pious and martyr-like.

She adopted the religion of her husband.
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

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?
She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

He had wasted his money.

She would hate the music.

She would embarrass him.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly families with young children

Mostly women in beautiful dresses
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She closed her eyes.

She began to cry.

She got up and left.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He remembered his childhood.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He was overcome with emotion himself.

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

Played a phantom piano

Held Clark's hands

Knotted them in her lap
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended

During the "Prize Song"

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?
She hated music now.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She missed him very much.

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.

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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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